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yī 一 zhì 掷 qiān 千 jīn 金

一掷千金 yī zhì qiān jīn

to spend money like water; to stake a fortune on a single throw

Literally: one throw thousand gold

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Origin

From a Tang poem by Wu Xiangzhi describing gamblers throwing a thousand gold pieces in one bet.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; negative or neutral. Often 为……一掷千金.

Example sentences

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  1. 他为了一个名牌包一掷千金，家人都觉得太浪费。
    Tā wèile yī gè míngpái bāo yī zhì qiān jīn, jiārén dōu juéde tài làngfèi.
    He spent a fortune on a single designer bag, and his family all found it wasteful.
    he for one (measure) brand bag one throw thousand gold, family all feel too wasteful
  2. 拍卖会上，几位收藏家一掷千金，只为得到这幅画。
    Pāimàihuì shàng, jǐ wèi shōucángjiā yī zhì qiān jīn, zhǐ wèi dédào zhè fú huà.
    At the auction several collectors threw huge sums around just to win this painting.
    auction on, several (measure) collectors one throw thousand gold, only for obtain this (measure) painting

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