栽跟头 (zāi gēn tou) — to fall and tumble (literally); to suffer a setback, to fail, to be embarrassed (figuratively)
Definition
A vivid colloquial verb meaning 'to take a tumble / fall flat on one's face' — used literally for tripping and, more commonly, figuratively for failing or being embarrassed. Often pairs with a measure word (栽一个跟头) when talking about setbacks.
verb
to fall and tumble (literally)to suffer a setbackto failto be embarrassed (figuratively)
Examples
- ，栽跟头。Tā zǒu lù bù xiǎo xīn, zāi gēn tou le.He wasn't careful while walking and took a tumble.
- 。Zhè cì tóu zī ràng tā zāi le yí gè dà gēn tou.This investment made him suffer a major setback.
- ，。Nián qīng de shí hou duō zāi jǐ cì gēn tou, yǐ hòu jiù gèng yǒu jīng yàn le.If you stumble a few times when you're young, you'll have more experience later.
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