功亏一篑

MEANING

1. 壹动verb

   lit. to ruin the enterprise for the sake of one basketful

   • wǒmenbùnénggōngkuīyīkuì.

     我们不能功亏一篑。🔊

     We cannot fall short of success at the final moment.

2. 貳动verb

   to fail through lack of a final effort

   • tāyīnwèicūxīndàyìérgōngkuīyīkuì.

     他因为粗心大意而功亏一篑。🔊

     He failed due to his carelessness at the crucial moment.

3. 參动verb

   to spoil the ship for a ha'penny worth of tar (idiom)

   • tāgōngkuīyīkuì,méiyǒuwánchéngrènwù.

     他功亏一篑，没有完成任务。🔊

     He fell short at the final moment and failed to complete the task.