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gōng 功 kuī 亏 yī 一 kuì 篑

功亏一篑 gōng kuī yī kuì

to fail for want of a final effort; to fall at the last hurdle

Literally: achievement lack one basket

Intermediate 🏁 Success & failure
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Origin

From the Book of Documents: building a mound nine ren high can fail for lack of one last basket of earth.

How to use it

Predicate; negative, regretful. Often 不要功亏一篑 or 结果功亏一篑.

Example sentences

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  1. 都跑到最后一圈了，别放弃，不然就功亏一篑了。
    Dōu pǎodào zuìhòu yī quān le, bié fàngqì, bùrán jiù gōng kuī yī kuì le.
    You're on the last lap already; don't quit, or all that effort is wasted.
    already run-to last one lap (particle), don't give-up, otherwise then achievement lack one basket (particle)
  2. 他准备了半年，却因为迟到没能参加考试，真是功亏一篑。
    Tā zhǔnbèi le bàn nián, què yīnwèi chídào méi néng cānjiā kǎoshì, zhēnshi gōng kuī yī kuì.
    He prepared for six months but missed the exam by being late; he fell at the last hurdle.
    he prepare (particle) half year, however because late not can attend exam, truly achievement lack one basket

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