# 每下愈况

měi xià yù kuàng

Become progressively worse

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Each step downward reveals a lower condition

**Traditional Chinese:** 每下愈況

**Register:** Literary · uncommon

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Recognize a variant used for ongoing deterioration.

Rare form; 每况愈下 is more usual, and older interpretation differs.

## Understanding the expression

This less common form is often encountered as a variant referring to a situation that grows worse. Learners are more likely to see the reordered form 每况愈下 in contemporary writing. Because the expression has an older interpretive background distinct from simple decline, context is especially important. For everyday production, the common form is clearer. When reading this form, look for surrounding references to weakening health, poor service, or deteriorating conditions before deciding the intended sense.

## Examples

文章说当地服务每下愈况，需要改革。

### Traditional Chinese

文章說當地服務每下愈況，需要改革。

wén zhāng shuō dāng dì fú wù měi xià yù kuàng ， xū yào gǎi gé 。

The article says local service keeps deteriorating.

他的经营状况每下愈况，终于停业。

### Traditional Chinese

他的經營狀況每下愈況，終於停業。

tā de jīng yíng zhuàng kuàng měi xià yù kuàng ， zhōng yú tíng yè 。

His business worsened progressively and finally closed.

信中用每下愈况形容日益衰弱的身体。

### Traditional Chinese

信中用每下愈況形容日益衰弱的身體。

xìn zhōng yòng měi xià yù kuàng xíng róng rì yì shuāi ruò de shēn tǐ 。

The letter uses the expression for declining health.

若设施每下愈况，就应及时维修。

### Traditional Chinese

若設施每下愈況，就應及時維修。

ruò shè shī měi xià yù kuàng ， jiù yìng jí shí wéi xiū 。

Facilities should be repaired if their condition keeps worsening.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%AF%8F%E4%B8%8B%E6%84%88%E6%B3%81)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=619&webMd=1&la=0)

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