功败垂成

功敗垂成

gōngbàichuíchéng

idiom #46,652

Meanings

1 the effort fails on the verge of success
2 to fall at the last hurdle
3 defeat snatched from the jaws of victory

Characters

achievement / effort

on the point of

Examples

球队最后一分钟失球，功败垂成。

Qiúduì zuìhòu yī fēnzhōng shī qiú, gōng bài chuí chéng.

The team conceded in the final minute — victory snatched away.

计划到了最后一步却功败垂成，令人扼腕。

Jìhuà dào le zuìhòu yī bù què gōng bài chuí chéng, lìng rén èwàn.

The plan collapsed on its very last step — heartbreaking.

他不甘心就此功败垂成。

Tā bù gānxīn jiùcǐ gōng bài chuí chéng.

He refused to accept failing at the finish line.

Tips

history

From 《晋书·谢玄传论》: 降龄何促，功败垂成 — lamenting that Jin general Xie Xuan's life was cut short just as his unification campaign neared success. 垂 here means 'on the point of'; the original use was military.

Stroke Order

功 gōng

败 bài

垂 chuí

成 chéng