Tā zài dǔbó chéng yǐn zhīqián xuányá-lèmǎ, jiè diào le.
He pulled back just before becoming addicted to gambling and quit.
Tips
history
Recorded in Ji Yun's Qing-dynasty 《阅微草堂笔记》: 此书生悬崖勒马，可谓大智矣 - 'this scholar reined in his horse at the cliff edge, truly great wisdom.' Often paired with 回头是岸.
usage
Used as a warning or admonishment to someone heading toward disaster, often a moral one. Common pattern: 希望你悬崖勒马 / 赶紧悬崖勒马.
