Definition
扭转乾坤 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to turn the tide' or 'to reverse a desperate situation completely'. The literal image is 'twisting heaven and earth'. It is used in dramatic contexts where someone or something changes the course of events from failure to success. Though the source lists POS as 'v.o.', the phrase typically behaves as a fixed verb phrase; you may insert 了 (扭转了乾坤) to show completed action.
v.o.
to turn the tide completelyto reverse a desperate situation
Examples
- 扭转乾坤，。Tā píngjiè zhìhuì hé yǒngqì niǔ zhuǎi, wǎnjiù le gōngsī.With wisdom and courage, he turned the situation around and saved the company.
- ，扭转乾坤，。Zài zhè cì bǐsài zhōng, tāmen niǔ zhuǎi, zuìzhōng yíngdé le shènglì.In this competition, they reversed the situation and ultimately won victory.
- ，。Tā niǔ zhuǎn le qián kūn, ràng suǒyǒu rén guāmùxiāngkàn.He turned the tide completely and made everyone look at him with new respect.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.