一线生机

一線生機

yīxiàn-shēngjī

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 yīxiànshēngjī.

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 yīxiànshēngjī.

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