The team returned home defeated after losing the final.
Tips
usage
Although 铩 first meant a long spear, modern Chinese uses it almost only in 铩羽而归 ("feathers clipped, returning home"), describing someone who comes back beaten.
杀 gives the exact sound shā and also fits the meaning, since the spear was a killing weapon. This is one of the rare cases where the phonetic doubles as a meaning hint.
