Definition
头破血流 is a chengyu that literally means 'head broken and blood flowing' — a graphic description of severe physical injury. However, it is used figuratively to describe a devastating defeat in a fight, argument, or competition where one side is badly beaten or humiliated. You'll often see it in patterns like 打得∼ (beaten to a pulp) or 争得∼ (fight fiercely).
f.e.
to be badly beaten (physically or in a conflict)to suffer a crushing defeat
Examples
- 头破血流。Liǎng duì wèile guànjūn zhēng de tóu pò xiě.The two teams fought fiercely for the championship.
- 头破血流。Tā zài nà chǎng biànlùn zhōng bèi duìshǒu bó de tóu pò xiě.He was refuted so badly in that debate that it felt like a crushing defeat.
- 头破血流。Fànzuì fēnzǐ bèi jǐngchá dǎ de tóu pò xiě.The criminal was beaten to a pulp by the police.
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