declining morale; exhausted momentum
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to decline after repeated efforts; to be exhausted and unable to rally; waning enthusiasm after initial vigor
literaryDerived from a historical commentary on warfare in the Zuo Zhuan. Used to describe failing momentum or waning enthusiasm after initial vigor has been spent, often in military, sports, or competitive contexts.
Lián连
bài败
sān三
chǎng场
zhī之
hòu后
，
qiú球
duì队
shì士
qì气
zài再
shuāi衰
sān三
jié竭
，
jiào教
liàn练
yě也
wú无
kě可
nài奈
hé何
。
After losing three games in a row, the team's morale declined to the point of exhaustion, and even the coach was helpless.
Rú如
guǒ果
zhè这
cì次
zài再
shī失
bài败
，
wǒ我
men们
de的
shì士
qì气
kǒng恐
pà怕
jiù就
yào要
zài再
shuāi衰
sān三
jié竭
le了
。
If we fail again this time, I'm afraid our morale will be completely exhausted and unable to recover.
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Dí敌
jūn军
jīng经
guò过
lián连
xù续
zuò作
zhàn战
，
zǎo早
yǐ已
zài再
shuāi衰
sān三
jié竭
，
zhōng终
yú于
tóu投
xiáng降
le了
。
After continuous fighting, the enemy's strength had long since waned, and they finally surrendered.