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不了了之 (bù liǎo liǎo zhī) — to leave a matter unresolved; to let something fizzle out without conclusion

Definition

A set phrase meaning to let a matter drag on with no real conclusion. Often carries a negative tone — implying the issue was avoided or shelved rather than properly resolved.

phrase
to leave a matter unresolvedto let something fizzle out without conclusion

Examples

  • ，。
    Zhè jiàn shì bù néng bù liǎo liǎo zhī, bì xū yǒu gè míng què de jié lùn.
    This matter cannot be left unresolved; there must be a clear conclusion.
  • ，不了了之。
    Tā men tǎo lùn le bàn tiān, zuì hòu què bù liǎo liǎo zhī le.
    They discussed for a long time, but in the end it just fizzled out.
  • 不了了之，。
    Hěn duō wèn tí rú guǒ zǒng shì bù liǎo liǎo zhī, chí zǎo huì chū dà má fan.
    If many problems are always left unresolved, sooner or later big trouble will arise.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The picture in 不 originally showed a flower’s calyx; the “no” sense came later from a related character, not from this picture.

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A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

了 was once drawn to show a baby with no arms; some old comments say it showed crossed or tangled legs.

Open 了 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

了 was once drawn to show a baby with no arms; some old comments say it showed crossed or tangled legs.

Open 了 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Idioms & Set Phrases

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