# 一蹶不振

yī jué bù zhèn

Fail to recover after a setback

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Stumble once and never regain vigor

**Register:** Critical · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe prolonged collapse after defeat or loss.

A strong prediction that may unfairly deny recovery.

## Understanding the expression

The image begins with a stumble but focuses on the failure to rise afterward. It describes someone or something whose confidence, activity, or fortunes remain badly weakened after a setback. A business may fail to recover from a loss, or a person may withdraw after disappointment. The phrase does not establish that recovery is impossible. Support, time, and changed circumstances can restore momentum, so avoid treating a difficult period as a permanent identity.

## Examples

公司受损后一直一蹶不振。

### Traditional Chinese

公司受損後一直一蹶不振。

gōng sī shòu sǔn hòu yì zhí yī jué bù zhèn 。

The company never regained strength after the loss.

他失利后并未一蹶不振。

### Traditional Chinese

他失利後並未一蹶不振。

tā shī lì hòu bìng wèi yī jué bù zhèn 。

He did not remain defeated after the setback.

一次拒绝不该让你一蹶不振。

### Traditional Chinese

一次拒絕不該讓你一蹶不振。

yí cì jù jué bù gāi ràng nǐ yī jué bù zhèn 。

One rejection should not leave you permanently discouraged.

球队去年失冠后几乎一蹶不振。

### Traditional Chinese

球隊去年失冠後幾乎一蹶不振。

qiú duì qù nián shī guān hòu jī hū yī jué bù zhèn 。

The team nearly failed to recover after losing the title last year.

## 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=%E4%B8%80%E8%B9%B6%E4%B8%8D%E6%8C%AF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=836&webMd=1&la=0)

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