风云突变

風雲突變

fēngyún-tūbiàn

idiom

Meanings

HSK 7-9

国际局势风云突变。

Guójì júshì fēngyúntūbiàn.

The international situation has shifted abruptly.

HSK 7-9

股市风云突变，投资者损失惨重。

Gǔshì fēngyúntūbiàn, tóuzīzhě sǔnshī cǎnzhòng.

The stock market turned on a dime and investors suffered heavy losses.

usage

风云 (wind and clouds) is a long-standing metaphor for political/military situations. This phrase is near-exclusive to news and editorial register.

风 fēng

云 yún

突 tū

变 biàn