一片焦土 scorched earth
Explanation
“一片焦土”是指被火灾或战火烧毁后的土地，形容一片荒凉、毫无生机的景象。
"Scorched earth" refers to land that has been destroyed by fire or war, and it describes a scene of desolation and lifelessness.
Origin Story
一场突如其来的大火席卷了原本繁华的集市。火焰吞噬了街道、房屋、商铺，留下一片焦土和浓烟。昔日熙熙攘攘的人群，如今只剩下焦黑的遗骸，无声地诉说着这场灾难的惨烈。人们眼看着辛苦打拼的家园化为灰烬，心中满是绝望和悲痛。这场大火不仅烧毁了房屋，更烧掉了人们对未来的希望。
A sudden fire swept through the once bustling marketplace. Flames devoured streets, houses, and shops, leaving behind a scorched earth and thick smoke. The once bustling crowds are now only charred remains, silently telling of the horror of this disaster. People watched their hard-earned homes turn to ashes, their hearts filled with despair and grief. This fire not only burned down houses, but also burned away people's hopes for the future.
Usage
这个成语用来形容遭受战火或火灾后的景象，表示一片荒凉、毫无生机。
This idiom is used to describe the scene after a war or fire, indicating a desolate and lifeless landscape.
Examples
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战争结束后，这里只剩下一片焦土。
zhan zheng jie shu hou, zhe li zhi sheng xia yi pian jiao tu
After the war, only a scorched earth remained.
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经历了大火之后，整个村庄变成了～，让人心痛不已。
jing li le da huo zhi hou, zheng ge cun zhuang bian cheng le jiao tu, rang ren xin tong bu yi
After the fire, the entire village became scorched earth, causing heartache.