very bad, dangerous, or uncertain糟糕的;危险的;不可预测的
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。