债台高筑 heavily in debt
Explanation
形容欠债很多。
Describes a high level of debt.
Origin Story
战国时期，有个小国国君，好大喜功，不断对外扩张，结果战败连连，国库空虚。为了继续维持奢华的生活和军队的开支，他向周边各国借贷，甚至向民间高利贷者借钱。几年下来，国库不仅没有好转，反而债台高筑，无力偿还巨额债务。国君整天躲在高高的宫殿里，提心吊胆，害怕债主上门讨债。最终，这个小国因为无力偿还债务而被灭亡，国君也落得个凄惨的下场。这个故事告诫我们，要量力而行，不要好高骛远，否则只会落得个债台高筑，家破人亡的下场。
During the Warring States period, there was a small country whose ruler was ambitious and constantly expanding his territory. This resulted in repeated defeats and an empty treasury. To maintain his luxurious lifestyle and military spending, he borrowed money from neighboring countries and even private usurers. After several years, not only did the treasury not improve, but the country became heavily indebted and unable to repay the enormous debts. The ruler hid in his high palace, fearful of creditors coming to collect their debts. Ultimately, the small country was destroyed because of its inability to repay its debts, and the ruler met a tragic end. This story warns us to act within our means and not to be overly ambitious, otherwise, we will only end up heavily in debt and ruin our lives.
Usage
用于形容欠债很多，经济状况不佳。
Used to describe being heavily in debt and having poor financial conditions.
Examples
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他因为经营不善，如今债台高筑，面临破产的危险。
ta yinwei jingying bushan, rujin zhaitai gaozhu, mianlin pochan de weixian.
Due to poor management, he is now heavily in debt and facing the risk of bankruptcy.
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这个国家债台高筑，经济面临巨大压力。
zège guojia zhaitai gaozhu, jingji mianlin juda ya li.
This country is heavily in debt, and its economy is under enormous pressure.