不堪一击

不堪一擊

bùkān-yījī

idiom #22,686

Meanings

1 cannot withstand a single blow
2 extremely fragile
3 to collapse at the first strike
4 paper tiger

Characters

to bear / to withstand / to endure

to strike / to hit / a blow

Examples

HSK 6

对手的实力远超预期，我方战术不堪一击。

Duìshǒu de shílì yuǎnchāo yùqī, wǒfāng zhànshù bùkānyījī.

The opponent's strength far exceeded expectations, and our tactics couldn't withstand a single blow.

HSK 7-9

他们的防线其实不堪一击，一旦突破就全线崩溃。

Tāmen de fángxiàn qíshí bùkānyījī, yīdàn tūpò jiù quán xiàn bēngkuì.

Their defense line is actually extremely fragile - once breached, the entire line collapses.

HSK 7-9

这个理论看似严密，其实不堪一击。

Zhège lǐlùn kànsì yánmì, qíshí bùkānyījī.

This theory appears rigorous on the surface, but actually cannot withstand scrutiny.

Tips

usage

不堪一击 is used for both physical fragility (a weak army, a poorly built structure) and intellectual/logical weakness (an argument that falls apart under examination). It always describes something that appears to have strength but is actually hollow.

memory

不堪 = cannot bear / cannot withstand. 一击 = one strike/blow. Even a single hit is too much to handle.

Stroke Order

不 bù

堪 kān

一 yī

击 jī