This reform has hit resistance and can't progress an inch.
Tips
history
Traced to Du Fu's Tang poem 《九日寄岑参》: 所向泥活活，思君令人瘦……寸步曲江头，难为一相就 — the muddy roads make even an inch of travel to meet his friend impossible. The phrase crystallized into 寸步难行 and now describes any situation where progress has stalled.
usage
Two uses: (1) literal — physically unable to walk (bad weather, injury, obstacles); (2) figurative — a project, business, or plan stuck at an impasse. Very common in business and political commentary; pairs with 遇到阻力, 没有支持, 资金匮乏.
