插翅难飞[逃] [- - nán fēi]Even if one had wings one could hardly fly away — no possible escape.; unable to fly, even with a pair of wings; Even though (he) could thrust wings into (himself) yet (he) could not fly away.; unable to escape even if given wings; unable to escape even if one were provided with wings:
•¶ 密密层层的天罗地网， 我看他插翅难飞[逃]。 He is so closely hemmed in on all sides that I doubt whether he could escape even if he grew a pair of wings.