歯(は)が立(た)たない

歯(は)が立(た)たない難問(なんもん)を前(まえ)に、受験生(じゅけんせい)が絶望(ぜつぼう)している。

Faced with a challenging problem that they are unable to compete with, the exam takers are in despair. {unable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight), hard to chew}

このフランスパンは硬(かた)すぎて、全(まった)く歯(は)が立(た)ちません。

This French bread is too hard, I can't even make a dent in it. {unable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight), hard to chew}

歯(は)が立(た)たない強敵(きょうてき)との試合(しあい)では戦意(せんい)すら湧(わ)いてきませんでした。

In the match against a formidable opponent who I was unable to compete with, I didn't even feel the will to fight. {unable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight), hard to chew}

父(ちち)と将棋(しょうぎ)の試合(しあい)をしてみたが、棋士(きし)である父(ちち)には全然(ぜんぜん)歯(は)が立(た)たなかった。

I tried playing a game of shogi with my father, but I was unable to compete with him at all, as he is a professional player. {unable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight), hard to chew}

全(まった)く私(わたし)の歯(は)が立(た)たなかった問題(もんだい)をあっさり解決(かいけつ)するとは…彼(かれ)には参(まい)ったよ…。

I'm at a loss... He easily solved the problem that I was completely unable to make a dent in... {unable to compete with, not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem), not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight), hard to chew}