坐失良机 miss a good opportunity
Explanation
因为没有抓住时机而失去好机会。形容做事优柔寡断，错过有利时机。
To miss a good opportunity because of inaction or indecision. Describes someone who is indecisive and misses a good chance.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀国丞相诸葛亮运筹帷幄，决胜千里，为匡扶汉室呕心沥血，然而蜀国国力薄弱，面对魏国的强大压力，诸葛亮屡次北伐，却总是难以取得决定性胜利。有一次，诸葛亮率军北伐，在与司马懿对峙时，由于蜀军粮草不足，士气低迷，诸葛亮不得不选择暂缓进攻，等待时机。然而，魏国却趁此机会，修葺城池，加固防线，巩固了后方，使得蜀军下次北伐更加艰难。诸葛亮深感惋惜，感叹道：“吾本欲乘胜追击，一举歼灭敌军，如今却坐失良机，悔之晚矣！”
During the Three Kingdoms period in China, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu Han, planned many strategic campaigns. However, due to Shu's weaker military strength, the success of his campaigns was often limited. Once, during a campaign against Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang was forced to postpone the attack due to insufficient supplies and low morale. The Wei army took advantage of this pause to repair their city walls and strengthen their defenses, making the Shu army's next campaign even more difficult. Zhuge Liang deeply regretted it and sighed: “I wanted to take advantage of this victory to wipe out the enemy army, but now I have missed this good opportunity; it's too late to regret it!
Usage
常用作谓语、宾语；多用于书面语。
Often used as predicate or object; mainly in written language.
Examples
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他因为犹豫不决，坐失了良机。
ta yīn wèi yóuyù bùjué, zuò shī le liángjī.
He missed a good opportunity because of his indecision.
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公司本有机会拓展海外市场，却因为领导层的失误坐失了良机。
gōngsī běn yǒu jīhuì tuòzhǎn hǎiwài shìchǎng, què yīnwèi lǐngdǎoceng de shīwù zuò shī le liángjī.
The company had a chance to expand into overseas markets, but missed it due to leadership mistakes.