毁于一旦 (huǐ yú yī dàn) — to be destroyed in an instant (of accumulated achievements, reputation, etc.)
Definition
A formal idiom meaning a long-built achievement or reputation is wiped out in a single moment. Implies deep regret — years of effort undone by one mistake or disaster.
idiom
to be destroyed in an instant (of accumulated achievements, reputation, etc.)
Examples
- ,毁于一旦。Tā xīn xīn kǔ kǔ jiàn lì de shì yè, yīn wèi yí cì shī wù jiù huǐ yú yī dàn le.The career he built with great effort was destroyed in an instant because of one mistake.
- ,毁于一旦,。Duō nián de nǔ lì, jìng rán zài jǐ fēn zhōng nèi huǐ yú yī dàn, zhēn ràng rén tòng xīn.Years of hard work were destroyed in just a few minutes — it's truly heartbreaking.
- ,毁于一旦。Gōng sī yīn wèi jīn róng wēi jī, suǒ yǒu zī chǎn huǐ yú yī dàn.The company's entire assets were destroyed in an instant due to the financial crisis.
Appears in
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