放手一搏

fàngshǒu-yībó
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 to give it everything you've got
  2. 2 to go all in
  3. 3 to put one's all into the fight

Examples

HSK 3
Juésài zhǐyǒu yí cì jīhuì, tā juédìng fàngshǒu-yībó.
With only one shot at the final, he decided to go all in.
HSK 4
Gōngsī miànlín pòchǎn, lǎobǎn xiǎng fàngshǒu-yībó.
Facing bankruptcy, the boss wanted to give it one last all-out effort.

Tips

memory
放手 (let go of one's hands) + 一搏 (one fight): stop holding back and throw down everything in one go. The 'let go' image captures the moment of abandoning caution.
usage
Used at decision points where someone commits fully to a risky attempt - sports finals, last-ditch business moves, exam day. Strongly forward-looking, not regretful.

Stroke Order

fàng
shǒu