万念俱灰 utterly disheartened
Explanation
万念俱灰，形容所有的想法和打算都破灭了，极端灰心失望的心情。
This idiom describes a state of utter despair when all one's hopes and plans have been dashed.
Origin Story
在古代，有一位名叫张三的穷书生，他从小就立志要考取功名，光宗耀祖。他每天勤奋苦读，废寝忘食，希望有一天能金榜题名，实现自己的梦想。然而，一次又一次的考试失败，让张三的心中充满了失望和沮丧。他开始怀疑自己的能力，怀疑自己的努力，怀疑自己的选择。他觉得自己的梦想就像那远在天边的星星，永远也触碰不到。他渐渐失去了生活的动力，整日郁郁寡欢，无所事事。他曾经充满希望的双眼变得黯淡无光，他曾经坚定的信念也变得摇摇欲坠。他觉得人生就像一个无底的深渊，自己就像一只无助的蚂蚁，永远也逃脱不了命运的束缚。他开始厌倦这个世界，他开始厌倦自己的人生。他万念俱灰，觉得人生已经没有任何意义。于是，他决定放弃一切，选择结束自己的生命。他来到山崖边，准备一跃而下，结束自己痛苦的人生。就在这时，他听到了一阵清脆的鸟鸣声。他抬头望去，只见一只小鸟在枝头欢快地歌唱。它那嘹亮的歌声仿佛在提醒着张三，生命的意义在于活下去。它那振翅飞翔的身影仿佛在鼓励着张三，要勇敢地面对人生的挑战。张三被小鸟的歌声和身影所感动，他重新燃起了对生活的希望。他决定振作起来，继续追求自己的梦想。他相信，只要坚持不懈，总有一天会实现自己的目标。
In ancient times, there was a poor scholar named Zhang San, who dreamed of passing the civil service exam and bringing honor to his ancestors since he was young. He studied diligently, day and night, hoping to one day be ranked among the officials and realize his dream. However, repeated exam failures filled Zhang San's heart with disappointment and frustration. He began to doubt his abilities, his efforts, and his choices. He felt that his dreams were like stars far away in the sky, never to be touched. He gradually lost the motivation to live, becoming depressed and idle. His once hopeful eyes became dim, and his once firm beliefs began to waver. He felt that life was like a bottomless abyss, and he, like a helpless ant, could never escape the shackles of fate. He began to loathe the world, he began to loathe his own life. He was utterly disheartened and felt that life had no meaning. So he decided to give up everything and choose to end his life. He went to the edge of a cliff, ready to leap down and end his painful life. Just then, he heard a clear bird song. He looked up and saw a small bird singing happily on a branch. Its clear singing seemed to remind Zhang San that the meaning of life was to live. Its soaring wings seemed to encourage Zhang San to face life's challenges bravely. Zhang San was touched by the bird's singing and its figure, and he rekindled hope for life. He decided to cheer up and continue pursuing his dreams. He believed that as long as he persisted, he would one day achieve his goals.
Usage
这个成语用于形容一个人在遭遇挫折或失败后，感到极其失望和沮丧，对未来失去了希望和斗志。
This idiom is used to describe a person who is extremely disappointed and discouraged after experiencing setbacks or failures, and has lost hope and fighting spirit for the future.
Examples
-
他考试没考好，现在万念俱灰，什么也不想干了。
ta kao shi mei kao hao, xian zai wan nian ju hui, shen me ye bu xiang gan le.
He failed his exam and now he is utterly disheartened and doesn't want to do anything.
-
经历了创业失败的打击后，他万念俱灰，决定放弃一切。
jing li le chuang ye shi bai de da ji hou, ta wan nian ju hui, jue ding fang qi yi qie.
After the blow of his business failure, he was completely despondent and decided to give up everything.
-
听到这个消息，我万念俱灰，整个人都垮了。
ting dao zhe ge xiao xi, wo wan nian ju hui, zheng ge ren dou kua le.
Upon hearing this news, I was utterly disheartened, my whole life is falling apart.