Definition
This four-character idiom (成语) literally means 'to struggle while dying' — describing a final, frantic effort to avoid failure or death. You can use it for a failing company, a lost battle, or any situation where someone or something is making a last-ditch effort despite being doomed. It carries a sense of futility and desperation.
idiom
to put up a last-ditch struggleto be in one's death throes
Examples
- ，垂死挣扎。Zhège gōngsī yǐjīng pòchǎn le, xiànzài zhǐshì zài chuí sǐ zhēng zhá.This company has already gone bankrupt; it's just in its death throes now.
- 垂死挣扎，。Díjūn suīrán hái zài chuí sǐ zhēng zhá, dàn shībài yǐ chéng dìngjú.The enemy army is still putting up a last-ditch struggle, but defeat is already certain.
- ，。Tā zài bìngchuáng shàng chuísǐzhēngzhá le sān tiān, zuìhòu háishì zǒu le.He lingered in his death throes on the hospital bed for three days before finally passing away.
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