摇摇欲坠 (yáo yáo yù zhuì) — tottering, on the verge of collapse (of buildings, structures); (figurative) on the brink of collapse (of a regime, company, health, etc.)
Definition
A vivid chengyu meaning 'tottering, on the verge of collapse' — used for both physical structures (buildings, towers) and abstract things like regimes, companies, or relationships. Stronger and more literary than the plain verb 倒 (to fall/collapse).
phrase
totteringon the verge of collapse (of buildings, structures)(figurative) on the brink of collapse (of a regime, company, health, etc.)
Examples
- 摇摇欲坠，。Zhè ge zhèng quán yǐ jīng yáo yáo yù zhuì, suí shí kě néng bèi tuī fān.This regime is already on the verge of collapse and could be overthrown at any moment.
- 摇摇欲坠，。Nà zuò gǔ tǎ jīng guò dì zhèn hòu yáo yáo yù zhuì, bì xū lì jí jiā gù.After the earthquake, that ancient pagoda was tottering and must be reinforced immediately.
- 摇摇欲坠，。Tā men de hūn yīn guān xì yáo yáo yù zhuì, zhī chà zuì hòu yì gēn dào cǎo.Their marriage is on the verge of collapse, just one last straw away.
Appears in
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