溃不成军

潰不成軍

kuìbùchéngjūn

idiom

Meanings

1 routed and unable to hold as an army (idiom)
2 to be utterly defeated
3 scattered in total defeat

Characters

to rout; to collapse

to form; to become

Examples

敌军被打得溃不成军。

Dí jūn bèi dǎ de kuìbùchéngjūn.

The enemy was beaten into a total rout.

辩论赛上，对方被驳得溃不成军。

Biànlùn sài shàng, duìfāng bèi bó de kuìbùchéngjūn.

In the debate, the opposing side was utterly demolished.

主力一失，部队便溃不成军。

Zhǔlì yī shī, bùduì biàn kuìbùchéngjūn.

Once the main force was lost, the troops fell apart completely.

Tips

history

Attested in 姚雪垠's novel 《李自成》: describing the moment when an army's nerve breaks and it 'scatters so it's no longer an army'. Modern rather than classical in origin.

usage

Strong military imagery. Beyond literal battles, often used of sports teams, debate opponents, competitors — any group utterly beaten. Common pattern: 被 + subject + 打/杀/驳 + 得 + 溃不成军.

Stroke Order

溃 kuì

不 bù

成 chéng

军 jūn