a moment's error; a lapse in judgment with grave consequences
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
a moment's error; a lapse in judgment leading to serious consequences; a wrong thought with grave results
literaryThis chengyu emphasizes how a brief moment of poor judgment can lead to disastrous, irreversible outcomes. Often used to express deep regret or to warn against hasty decisions.
Zhǐ只
yīn因
yī一
niàn念
zhī之
chā差
，
tā他
zǒu走
shàng上
le了
fàn犯
zuì罪
de的
dào道
lù路
。
Because of a moment's error, he embarked on the path of crime.
Yī一
niàn念
zhī之
chā差
，
zào造
chéng成
le了
wú无
fǎ法
wǎn挽
huí回
de的
hòu后
guǒ果
。
A lapse in judgment caused irreversible consequences.
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Tā他
hòu后
huǐ悔
zì自
jǐ己
dāng当
chū初
yī一
niàn念
zhī之
chā差
，
cuò错
guò过
le了
nà那
cì次
jī机
huì会
。
He regretted that a moment's error at that time made him miss that opportunity.
Xǔ许
duō多
bēi悲
jù剧
wǎng往
wǎng往
yuán源
yú于
yī一
niàn念
zhī之
chā差
。
Many tragedies often stem from a moment's lapse in judgment.