spent force; last gasp; end of a powerful arrow's flight
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
the arrow from a strong crossbow at the end of its flight; a once-powerful force that has become weak
literary源自《汉书》，常用作书面语，形容势力、气势、能力等由盛转衰的状态。常与动词'成为'、'已是'、'势成'等搭配。
Dí敌
jūn军
yǐ已
shì是
qiáng强
nǔ弩
zhī之
mò末
，
wú无
lì力
zài再
jìn进
gōng攻
le了
。
The enemy army is already a spent force, unable to launch another attack.
Zhè这
wèi位
yùn运
dòng动
yuán员
nián年
líng龄
dà大
le了
，
suī虽
rán然
jì技
shù术
hái还
zài在
，
dàn但
tǐ体
néng能
yǐ已
shì是
qiáng强
nǔ弩
zhī之
mò末
。
This athlete is getting old; although his technique remains, his physical strength is at its last gasp.
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《
Hàn汉
shū书
·
Hán韩
Ān安
guó国
zhuàn传
》
：
'
Qiáng强
nǔ弩
zhī之
mò末
，
lì力
bù不
néng能
rù入
Lǔ鲁
gǎo缟
。
'
The Book of Han, Biography of Han Anguo: 'At the end of its flight, the arrow from a strong crossbow lacks the force to penetrate the thin silk of Lu.'