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shì 势 bù 不 liǎng 两 lì 立

势不两立 shì bù liǎng lì

irreconcilable; mutually exclusive, at daggers drawn

Literally: situation not both stand

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Origin

From the Zhanguo Ce (Chu Ce I): 秦之所害于天下者莫如楚,楚强则秦弱……其势不两立.

How to use it

Predicate; negative. Often 与……势不两立 or 双方势不两立.

Example sentences

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  1. 两家公司为了争夺市场，几乎到了势不两立的地步。
    Liǎng jiā gōngsī wèile zhēngduó shìchǎng, jīhū dào le shì bù liǎng lì de dìbù.
    In fighting over the market, the two companies have almost reached the point of irreconcilable hostility.
    two (measure) company in order to contend-for market, almost reach (aspect particle) situation not both stand (attributive particle) point
  2. 正义与腐败势不两立，我们必须坚决斗争到底。
    Zhèngyì yǔ fǔbài shì bù liǎng lì, wǒmen bìxū jiānjué dòuzhēng dàodǐ.
    Justice and corruption cannot coexist; we must resolutely fight to the end.
    justice and corruption situation not both stand, we must resolutely struggle to-end

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