Chinese idiom · 成语
一败涂地
Meaning
One defeat covers the ground; utter failure.
Character by character
Origin and story
historical accountThe Shiji’s Gaozu biography places this phrase before Liu Bang becomes leader in Pei. The local elders have turned against the Qin magistrate and want Liu Bang to take command. He hesitates, warning that in an unsettled world choosing an incapable leader could bring a disastrous defeat. He says his concern is not simply for himself but for the safety of their families and young people.
The phrase therefore occurs as a warning about possible ruin, not merely a description after Liu Bang has lost a battle. Its original image is harsh: bodies destroyed on the ground after defeat. Later speech generalizes that total collapse to a crushing loss in competition or the failure of an undertaking.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
我太轻敌了，这盘棋输得一败涂地。
I underestimated my opponent and was completely crushed in this game.
Strong language for a disastrous defeat, not a small error or minor setback.