protracted; long-drawn-out; time-consuming
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
protracted; long-drawn-out; wasting much time; dragging on for a long time
formalUsually describes wars, negotiations, or tasks that take an excessively long time. Often carries a negative connotation implying inefficiency or burden.
Zhè这
chǎng场
tán谈
pàn判
kuàng旷
rì日
chí持
jiǔ久
，
shuāng双
fāng方
dōu都
hěn很
pí疲
bèi惫
。
The negotiations have been protracted, and both sides are exhausted.
Zhè这
shì是
yī一
chǎng场
kuàng旷
rì日
chí持
jiǔ久
de的
zhàn战
zhēng争
，
yǐ已
jīng经
chí持
xù续
le了
shí十
nián年
。
This is a long-drawn-out war that has already lasted for ten years.
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Wéi为
le了
bì避
miǎn免
kuàng旷
rì日
chí持
jiǔ久
de的
sù诉
sòng讼
，
tā他
men们
xuǎn选
zé择
le了
tíng庭
wài外
hé和
jiě解
。
To avoid protracted litigation, they chose an out-of-court settlement.
Zhè这
xiàng项
gōng工
chéng程
kuàng旷
rì日
chí持
jiǔ久
，
hào耗
fèi费
le了
dà大
liàng量
rén人
lì力
wù物
lì力
。
This project dragged on for a long time, consuming a great deal of manpower and resources.