在此一举 (zài cǐ yī jǔ) — (idiom) to hang on this single action; to be a…

Definition

An idiom for a make-or-break moment: success or failure depends entirely on this one action. Used in formal or high-stakes writing.

idiom

to hang on this single actionto be a make-or-break moment

，在此一举。
Zhè shì zuì hòu de jī huì le, chéng bài zài cǐ yī jǔ.
This is the last chance; success or failure hangs on this one move.
在此一举，。
Zhè chǎng bǐ sài de shèng fù zài cǐ yī jǔ, měi gè rén dōu jǐn zhāng jí le.
The outcome of this match hinges on this single action; everyone is extremely nervous.
，在此一举。
Tā jué dìng fàng shǒu yì bó, yīn wèi zài cǐ yī jǔ.
He decided to take a risk, because this is the make-or-break moment.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

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

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 舉; 举 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

與

與yǔ舉jǔ

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 舉 pairs 與, which gives the sound, with 手, a hand; the simplified 举 is a later shorthand.

Appears in