苟延残喘 (gǒu yán cán chuǎn) — to linger on in a steadily worsening condition; to barely survive on the verge of collapse
Definition
A formal idiom meaning to cling to life or existence while barely surviving — a business, regime, or person on the verge of collapse. Implies a prolonged, hopeless decline rather than a temporary setback.
idiom
to linger on in a steadily worsening conditionto barely survive on the verge of collapse
Examples
- 苟延残喘，。Zhè jiā gōng sī yǐ jīng gǒu yán cán chuǎn le wǔ nián, zǎo wǎn yào dǎo bì.This company has lingered on for five years and will go bankrupt sooner or later.
- 苟延残喘。Nà ge zhèng quán rú jīn zhǐ néng kào wài yuán gǒu yán cán chuǎn.That regime can now only barely survive by relying on foreign aid.
- ，苟延残喘。Tā bìng dé hěn zhòng, zhǐ shì zài yī yuàn lǐ gǒu yán cán chuǎn bà liǎo.He is very ill and is merely lingering on in the hospital.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.