化为乌有 vanish into thin air
Explanation
指事物完全消失，不复存在。
Refers to the complete disappearance of something, no longer existing.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有个叫李白的诗人，他年轻时穷困潦倒，靠卖字画为生。一次，他画了一幅雄伟壮观的山水图，准备拿去卖掉换些钱。这幅画画得栩栩如生，引来了很多人的欣赏，大家都赞不绝口。这时，一位富商看中了这幅画，愿意出高价购买。李白欣喜若狂，以为自己终于可以过上好日子了。他拿到钱后，便开始大肆挥霍，买酒买肉，请朋友吃饭，日子过得无比快活。没过多久，他的钱就花得一干二净了，之前的梦想化为乌有，他又回到了贫穷的生活。后来他写下了一首诗，慨叹命运的无常。
During the Tang Dynasty, there was a poet named Li Bai, who was poor and down-on-his-luck in his youth, making a living by selling calligraphy and paintings. Once, he painted a magnificent landscape painting and planned to sell it for some money. The painting was so lifelike that it attracted many admirers, and everyone praised it highly. At this time, a wealthy merchant took a fancy to the painting and was willing to buy it at a high price. Li Bai was overjoyed, thinking that he would finally be able to live a good life. After receiving the money, he began to spend lavishly, buying wine, meat, and inviting friends to dinner, living a carefree life. Before long, his money was all gone, and his dreams were dashed, and he returned to his impoverished life. Later, he wrote a poem lamenting the uncertainty of fate.
Usage
用于形容事情彻底失败，完全消失。
Used to describe something that has completely failed and disappeared completely.
Examples
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他辛辛苦苦攒的钱，一夜之间就化为乌有。
ta xin xinku ku zhuan de qian, yeyezhi jian jiu hua wei wu you.
All his hard-earned money vanished overnight.
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这场大火，使他多年的心血化为乌有。
zhe chang da huo, shi ta duonian de xin xue hua wei wu you.
The fire reduced his years of hard work to nothing.