when the music ends, the party's over; people disperse after an event
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
lit. when the music ends, the audience disperses; fig. when an event concludes, people go their separate ways
literaryOften used to describe the end of gatherings, celebrations, or events, sometimes with a tinge of melancholy about the impermanence of social occasions.
Wǎn晚
huì会
jié结
shù束
hòu后
,
dà大
jiā家
qǔ曲
zhōng终
rén人
sàn散
,
gè各
huí回
gè各
jiā家
。
After the party ended, everyone went their separate ways and returned home.
Zhè这
chǎng场
shèng盛
dà大
de的
hūn婚
lǐ礼
zài在
wǔ午
yè夜
qǔ曲
zhōng终
rén人
sàn散
。
This grand wedding dispersed at midnight when the celebration ended.
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Zài再
hǎo好
de的
jù聚
huì会
yě也
yǒu有
qǔ曲
zhōng终
rén人
sàn散
de的
shí时
hou候
。
Even the best gatherings eventually come to an end and people must part ways.
Fán繁
huá华
guò过
hòu后
zǒng总
shì是
qǔ曲
zhōng终
rén人
sàn散
de的
qī凄
liáng凉
。
After the prosperity fades, there is always the desolation of people dispersing when the music ends.