愈演愈烈

yùyǎn-yùliè

idiom HSK 7-9 #22,312

Meanings

1 to intensify
2 to grow more and more intense
3 to escalate

Characters

more; increasingly

to develop; to evolve

intense; fierce

Examples

HSK 3

如果不及时处理，问题会愈演愈烈。

Rúguǒ bù jíshí chǔlǐ, wèntí huì yùyǎn-yùliè.

If not dealt with promptly, the problem will escalate.

HSK 5

两国之间的冲突愈演愈烈。

Liǎng guó zhījiān de chōngtū yùyǎn-yùliè.

The conflict between the two countries is intensifying.

Tips

usage

愈演愈烈 almost always describes negative situations - conflicts, crises, problems getting worse. Rarely used for positive developments.

Stroke Order

愈 yù

演 yǎn

烈 liè