Definition
身败名裂 is a four-character idiom meaning that someone has completely lost their social standing and reputation — usually after a public scandal, corruption, or major failure. It's more severe than just 'losing face' (丢脸)； it implies total disgrace where both one's position (身) and one's good name (名) are destroyed (败, 裂). You can use it for corrupt officials, disgraced celebrities, or anyone whose career and honor are ruined.
idiom
to lose both social standing and reputationto be thoroughly disgraced
Examples
- 身败名裂，。Nà ge tān guān zuìhòu shēn bài míng liè, quán jiā dōu tái bù qǐ tóu.That corrupt official ended up completely disgraced, and his whole family couldn't hold their heads up.
- ，身败名裂。Tā yì xīn xiǎng chéngmíng, què yīnwèi zào jiǎ shēn bài míng liè.He was bent on becoming famous, but ended up disgraced because of fraud.
- ，身败名裂。Yì jiā lǎo zìhào de lǎobǎn zuò le wéifǎ de shì, zuìhòu shēn bài míng liè.The boss of a time-honored brand did something illegal and ultimately lost both fortune and honor.
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