Relations between the two countries have been in a parlous state for some time. 这两国之间的关系已经僵持了一段时间。
I'd like to buy a new car, but my finances are in such a parlous state that I can't afford to. 我想买辆新车,但我的财政状况非常糟糕,买不起。
Synonyms: dodgy (NOT RELIABLE) precarioustouch-and-go
Compare: perilous