一失足成千古恨 (yī shī zú chéng qiān gǔ hèn) — a single mistake can lead to lifelong regret

Definition

A chengyu meaning one single mistake can cause lifelong regret — used as a warning about irreversible consequences of a careless act.

idiom
a single mistake can lead to lifelong regret

Examples

  • 一失足成千古恨
    Tā yīn wèi yì shí tān xīn fàn le fǎ, zhēn shì yī shī zú chéng qiān gǔ hèn.
    He broke the law out of momentary greed — truly, one slip led to eternal regret.
  • 一失足成千古恨
    Nián qīng rén zuò shì yào xiǎo xīn, yī shī zú chéng qiān gǔ hèn a.
    Young people must be careful in their actions — one mistake can bring lifelong regret.
  • 一失足成千古恨
    yī shī zú chéng qiān gǔ hèn, Tā jiǔ hòu kāi chē zhuàng le rén, yí bèi zi dōu hòu huǐ.
    One slip led to eternal regret — he drove drunk and hit someone, and regretted it for life.

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