付诸东流 to flow eastward
Explanation
比喻希望落空，前功尽弃。
It means that hopes are dashed and previous successes are in vain.
Origin Story
话说唐朝诗人高适，年轻时怀揣抱负，一心想在朝廷施展才华，建功立业。他四处奔走，结交权贵，希望得到重用。然而，世事难料，他屡屡碰壁，仕途坎坷。几番努力之后，他的理想和抱负都如同江水东流，一去不复返。他最终只能无奈叹息，将一切付诸东流。这让他深刻体会到人生的变幻莫测，世事难料。此后，他开始潜心创作，留下许多千古传诵的名篇。这便是“付诸东流”的由来，它告诉我们，人生难免会遇到挫折，但我们不能因此放弃希望，而应该积极调整心态，继续前行。
It is said that Gao Shi, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, was full of ambition in his youth, and he wanted to show his talent and achieve success at the court. He traveled everywhere, befriending powerful people, hoping to be promoted. However, fate played a trick on him, and he repeatedly met with setbacks, his career being bumpy. After several attempts, his ideals and ambitions were like the river flowing eastward, never to return. He could only sigh helplessly in the end, giving up everything. This made him deeply understand the unpredictable nature of life and the uncertainties of the world. After that, he devoted himself to his creative work, leaving behind many immortal masterpieces. This is how "fù zhū dōng liú" came into being, telling us that setbacks are inevitable in life, but we should not give up hope and instead actively adjust our mindset and continue moving forward.
Usage
用作谓语、定语；比喻希望落空，前功尽弃。
Used as predicate or attributive; a metaphor for dashed hopes and wasted previous efforts.
Examples
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他多年的努力付诸东流，令人惋惜。
ta duonian de nuli fuzhu dongliu, lingren wanxi.
His years of effort were all in vain, which is regrettable.
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这场比赛，我们付诸东流了，太可惜了！
zhechang bisai, women fuzhu dongliule, tai kexile!
We lost this game, which is a pity!