die with unfulfilled wishes; refuse to give up
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to die with one's eyes open (due to unfulfilled wishes or grievances); to be unwilling to rest until one's goal is achieved
literaryOften used to express strong determination to complete a task or lingering resentment. Can be used literally for dying with grievances or figuratively for refusing to give up.
Cǐ此
chóu仇
bù不
bào报
，
wǒ我
sǐ死
bù不
míng瞑
mù目
。
If I don't avenge this grievance, I will die with my eyes open.
Tā他
fā发
shì誓
yào要
wán完
chéng成
zhè这
xiàng项
yán研
jiū究
，
fǒu否
zé则
sǐ死
bù不
míng瞑
mù目
。
He vowed to complete this research, refusing to rest until it was done.
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Lǎo老
rén人
lín临
zhōng终
qián前
lā拉
zhe着
ér儿
zi子
de的
shǒu手
，
sì似
yǒu有
sǐ死
bù不
míng瞑
mù目
zhī之
hàn憾
。
Before passing away, the old man held his son's hand, seeming to die with unfulfilled wishes.