Being brought to a standstill; being stranded or stuck (e.g., vehicles halted, progress blocked).
吹雪で車が立ち往生してしまい、一晩中助けを待った。
Our car got stuck in a blizzard and we waited for help all night.
大雪の影響で高速道路が閉鎖され、多くの車が立ち往生した。
Because of heavy snow the highway was closed and many cars were stranded.
地震で電車が止まり、乗客は駅で長時間立ち往生した。
Trains stopped due to the earthquake, and passengers were stranded at the station for a long time.
Being stumped or in a dilemma; frozen or at a loss mentally or in action, unable to proceed or respond.
難しい問題に直面して、答えが出ずに立ち往生してしまった。
I faced a difficult problem and was stumped, unable to find an answer.
彼の突然の発言に会議が立ち往生し、しばらく沈黙が続いた。
His sudden remark brought the meeting to a standstill, and there was silence for a while.
新しいシステムへの対応で部署が立ち往生している。
The department is at a loss dealing with the new system.
Dying while standing — a somewhat old-fashioned or literary expression meaning to die on one's feet.
古い物語には、英雄が立ち往生して潔く息を引き取る場面が描かれることがある。
In old tales, there are scenes where a hero dies standing, departing with dignity.