# 一落千丈

yī luò qiān zhàng

Suffer a sudden, severe decline

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Fall a thousand zhang at once

**Register:** Concerned · general

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

## When to use it

Describe a sharp fall in standing or performance.

A strong exaggeration, not a numerical measure.

## Understanding the expression

The huge imagined fall turns decline into a dramatic plunge rather than a gradual change. Modern use describes drops in sales, reputation, quality, performance, or morale. It often follows a scandal, failure, or major disruption. The phrase emphasizes both speed and severity. A small fluctuation is not enough unless the speaker deliberately exaggerates. Specific figures or events help show what changed and whether the decline is lasting or can be reversed.

## Examples

事故后，公司的信誉一落千丈。

### Traditional Chinese

事故後，公司的信譽一落千丈。

shì gù hòu ， gōng sī de xìn yù yī luò qiān zhàng 。

The company's reputation plunged after the accident.

换了材料，产品质量一落千丈。

### Traditional Chinese

換了材料，產品質量一落千丈。

huàn le cái liào ， chǎn pǐn zhì liàng yī luò qiān zhàng 。

Product quality fell sharply after the material change.

他的成绩最近一落千丈。

### Traditional Chinese

他的成績最近一落千丈。

tā de chéng jì zuì jìn yī luò qiān zhàng 。

His grades have recently taken a severe dive.

游客减少，店里收入一落千丈。

### Traditional Chinese

遊客減少，店裡收入一落千丈。

yóu kè jiǎn shǎo ， diàn lǐ shōu rù yī luò qiān zhàng 。

Fewer visitors caused the shop's income to plunge.

## 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%90%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%B8%88)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=324&webMd=1&la=0)

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