一线生机

一線生機

yīxiànshēngjī

idiom #27,606

Meanings

1 a slim chance of survival
2 a glimmer of hope
3 a fighting chance
4 a ray of hope in a desperate situation

Characters

life; to live; to be born

opportunity; chance; crucial point

Examples

在绝境中，他看到了一线生机。

Zài juéjìng zhōng, tā kàndào le yīxiàn shēngjī.

In a desperate situation, he saw a slim chance of survival.

这场手术是他唯一的一线生机。

Zhè chǎng shǒushù shì tā wéiyī de yīxiàn shēngjī.

This surgery is his only fighting chance.

Tips

memory

一线 means 'a thread' or 'a single line' — the thinnest possible amount. 生机 means 'chance of life/survival'. So 一线生机 is a thread-thin chance at survival.

Stroke Order

一 yī

线 xiàn

生 shēng

机 jī