身败名裂

身敗名裂
shēnbài-míngliè
idiom #24,791

Meanings

  1. 1 to lose all standing and reputation
  2. 2 complete ruin of one's status and name
  3. 3 to be utterly disgraced

Examples

HSK 7-9
Tā yīn fǔbài ér shēnbài-míngliè.
He was utterly disgraced due to corruption.
HSK 7-9
Chǒuwén bàoguāng hòu, zhèwèi guānyuán shēnbài-míngliè.
After the scandal was exposed, the official's reputation was completely destroyed.
HSK 7-9
Tā bú yuànyì wèile qiáncái ér shēnbài-míngliè.
He was unwilling to ruin his reputation for money.

Tips

memory
身 = body/status, 败 = defeated/ruined, 名 = name/reputation, 裂 = split/torn. Picture your social standing shattered like broken glass.

Stroke Order

身 shēn
败 bài
名 míng
裂 liè