债台高筑 (zhài tái gāo zhù) — to be heavily in debt; debt-ridden

Definition

A chengyu meaning debts have piled up so high they form a 'tall platform' — used for companies, governments, or people in deep financial trouble. Stronger and more literary than simply saying 欠钱多.

idiom

to be heavily in debtdebt-ridden

Examples

债台高筑，。
Zhè jiā gōng sī yǐ jīng zhài tái gāo zhù, miàn lín pò chǎn de fēng xiǎn.
This company is already deeply in debt and faces the risk of bankruptcy.
债台高筑，。
Tā yīn wèi dǔ bó ér zhài tái gāo zhù, zuì hòu bù dé bú mài diào fáng zi.
He became heavily in debt due to gambling and eventually had to sell his house.
债台高筑，。
Zhèng fǔ rú guǒ zhài tái gāo zhù, jiù huì yǐng xiǎng gōng gòng fú wù de zhì liàng.
If the government is deeply in debt, it will affect the quality of public services.

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