refuse to admit defeat until one is utterly crushed; will not shed a tear until seeing the coffin
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
refuse to admit defeat or feel remorse until faced with utter failure; be stubborn and only realize the truth when it's too late
neutralUsed to criticize someone who is obstinate, refuses to listen to advice, and only accepts reality when a situation has reached a point of no return or disaster has struck. The variant "不见棺材不掉泪" is equally common.
Tā他
tài太
gù固
zhí执
le了
，
bù不
tīng听
quàn劝
，
zhēn真
shì是
bù不
jiàn见
guān棺
cai材
bù不
luò落
lèi泪
。
He is too stubborn and won't listen to advice; he really won't admit defeat until he's utterly crushed.
Bié别
gēn跟
tā他
zhēng争
le了
，
tā他
jiù就
shì是
nà那
zhǒng种
bù不
jiàn见
guān棺
cai材
bù不
diào掉
lèi泪
de的
rén人
。
Don't argue with him; he's the type of person who won't shed a tear until seeing the coffin.
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Gōng公
sī司
yǐ已
jīng经
bīn濒
lín临
pò破
chǎn产
，
lǎo老
bǎn板
cái才
hòu后
huǐ悔
mò莫
jí及
，
zhēn真
shì是
yìng应
le了
bù不
jiàn见
guān棺
cai材
bù不
luò落
lèi泪
zhè这
jù句
lǎo老
huà话
。
The company was on the verge of bankruptcy before the boss deeply regretted his actions, which really proves the old saying 'not shedding tears until seeing the coffin'.