一发不可收拾 uncontrollable
Explanation
事情一旦发生就难以控制，无法收拾。
Once something happens, it becomes difficult to control and impossible to remedy.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有个叫李白的诗人，他豪饮好酒，性格放荡不羁。一日，他与友人相聚，开怀畅饮，痛快淋漓。酒过三巡，李白兴致高涨，挥毫泼墨，写下了一首豪迈的诗歌。然而，酒劲上涌，李白的情绪也逐渐失控。他开始高谈阔论，指点江山，激昂慷慨之情溢于言表。酒后失态的他，开始胡言乱语，甚至与友人发生争执。起初，友人还能劝解，但随着李白情绪越发激动，争执也一发不可收拾，场面一度十分混乱。众人见状，纷纷劝说李白休息，但李白早已醉得不省人事，任凭众人如何劝说都无济于事，最终，这场醉酒闹剧以李白的酣睡而告终。第二天醒来，李白懊悔不已，为自己的行为深感羞愧。从此以后，他开始更加注重自己的言行举止，不再像以前那样放纵自己。
In ancient China lived the poet Li Bai. He was known for his excessive drinking and his unrestrained character. One day, during a banquet with friends, he was overcome by alcohol. At first, he enthusiastically wrote poems, then his speech became increasingly uninhibited, and finally he got into a heated argument with his friends. The atmosphere became increasingly lively and eventually escalated to the point where nobody could control it. In the end, Li Bai fell asleep drunk. The next morning, he deeply regretted his behavior. From that day on, he paid much more attention to his behavior.
Usage
形容事情发展到无法控制的局面。
Describes a situation that has spiraled out of control and cannot be stopped.
Examples
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这场战争一开始就一发不可收拾，最终导致了国家的灭亡。
zhe chang zhanzheng yi kaishi jiu yi fa bu ke shou shi, zhongjiu daozhile guojia de miewang
The war spiraled out of control from the very beginning, ultimately leading to the nation's demise.
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谣言像野火一样迅速蔓延，一发不可收拾。
yaoyan xiang yehuo yiyang sudu man yan, yi fa bu ke shou shi
Rumors spread like wildfire, becoming uncontrollable.