凶多吉少 More bad than good
Explanation
凶多吉少的意思是指不好的结果多,好的结果少。通常用来形容形势险恶,预示着不好的事情即将发生。
Xiōng duō jí shǎo means that bad outcomes are more likely than good outcomes. It is usually used to describe a dangerous situation and foretell that bad things are about to happen.
Origin Story
话说三国时期,诸葛亮率领大军北伐,连战连捷,形势一片大好。然而,一次探险中,大军遭遇了曹军的埋伏,伤亡惨重。面对如此险峻的形势,诸葛亮望着满地的尸体,忧心忡忡地说:"此战凶多吉少,我们必须谨慎应对。"他立即下令,全军戒备,准备迎接曹军的下一波攻击。果不其然,曹军乘胜追击,再次发起猛攻。蜀军虽然奋力抵抗,但由于兵力悬殊,最终还是败下阵来。此战之后,诸葛亮深感凶多吉少的处境,决定改变战略,不再强攻,而是转为防御,以保存实力,等待时机。
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang led a large army to fight in the north, winning battle after battle. However, during a reconnaissance mission, the army was ambushed by Cao's troops, resulting in heavy casualties. Facing such a dangerous situation, Zhuge Liang looked at the bodies on the ground and said worriedly: "This battle is likely to end badly, we must be cautious." He immediately ordered the entire army to be on high alert, ready to meet Cao's next wave of attacks. Sure enough, Cao's army pressed their advantage and launched another fierce attack. Although the Shu army fought bravely, they were ultimately defeated due to the disparity in troop strength. After this battle, Zhuge Liang deeply felt that the situation was dire, and he decided to change his strategy, no longer attacking head-on, but shifting to a defensive strategy to conserve his strength and wait for the right opportunity.
Usage
形容形势危急,成功的机会渺茫。
To describe a critical situation with little chance of success.
Examples
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这次行动凶多吉少,我们必须做好最坏的打算。
zhè cì xíngdòng xiōng duō jí shǎo, wǒmen bìxū zuò hǎo zuì huài de dǎsuàn。
This operation is likely to fail, we must prepare for the worst.
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听闻此事,我心中凶多吉少,甚是担忧。
tīngwén cǐ shì, wǒ xīnzhōng xiōng duō jí shǎo, shén shì dānyōu。
Upon hearing this, I have a bad feeling about it, I am very worried