丢盔弃甲 Discarding helmets and armor
Explanation
形容军队战败溃逃的狼狈景象。也比喻因失败而非常狼狈。
To describe the scene of an army's defeat and rout. Also used to describe someone who is very embarrassed due to failure.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀汉大将魏延率军攻打魏国，初战告捷，魏军损失惨重。然而，魏延过于轻敌，没有做好充分的准备，被魏军反扑，蜀军节节败退。战况急转直下，魏延的军队被打得丢盔弃甲，四处逃窜，魏延本人也险些被俘。这次惨败，不仅损失了大量的兵力，更重要的是损害了蜀军的士气和声望。事后，诸葛亮痛心疾首，责备魏延过于轻敌，没有考虑周全。魏延也认识到自己的错误，痛改前非。这次惨痛的教训，让蜀汉军队吸取了经验，以后在作战中更加谨慎小心，避免了类似的错误重演。从此，丢盔弃甲这个成语便流传下来，用来形容军队战败溃逃的狼狈景象。
During the Three Kingdoms period, Wei Yan, a Shu Han general, led his troops to attack the Wei Kingdom. The initial battle was victorious, and the Wei army suffered heavy losses. However, Wei Yan underestimated the enemy and was not adequately prepared. The Wei army counterattacked, and the Shu army retreated step by step. The battle situation turned rapidly; Wei Yan's army was defeated, and soldiers threw away their helmets and armor in a chaotic retreat. Wei Yan himself narrowly escaped capture. This devastating defeat not only resulted in significant troop losses but also severely damaged the Shu army's morale and reputation. Afterwards, Zhuge Liang lamented Wei Yan's overconfidence and lack of preparation. Wei Yan acknowledged his mistakes and deeply regretted them. This bitter lesson taught the Shu Han army valuable experience. In future battles, they were more cautious and avoided making similar mistakes.
Usage
多用于形容军队战败溃逃的狼狈情景，也可比喻因失败而非常狼狈。
Mostly used to describe the embarrassing situation of an army defeated and fleeing, and can also be used to describe someone who is very embarrassed due to failure.
Examples
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面对强敌的进攻，他们丢盔弃甲，仓皇逃窜。
miànduì qiángdí de jīngōng, tāmen diū kuī qì jiǎ, cānghuáng táocuàn。
Faced with the enemy's attack, they threw away their helmets and armor and fled in panic.
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在激烈的市场竞争中，这家公司丢盔弃甲，最终破产倒闭。
zài jīliè de shìchǎng jìngzhēng zhōng, zhè jiā gōngsī diū kuī qì jiǎ, zuìzhōng pòchǎn dǎobì。
In the fierce market competition, the company lost everything and eventually went bankrupt.