The word "一筹莫展" is formed by combining four characters: 一 (one), 筹 (tally or counter, historically used for planning), 莫 (not), and 展 (to spread or unfold). Literally, it means "not able to spread out one tally", where 筹 metaphorically represents a plan or solution, and 展 implies putting it into action, thus conveying the idea of being completely at a loss without any viable plan.