强弩之末 qiáng nǔ zhī mò The end of a strong crossbow

Explanation

强弩之末，指强弓射出的箭，已经快要到达射程的尽头，力量衰竭，难以再射出很远。比喻事物发展到后期，力量衰弱，无力回天。

The end of a strong crossbow, refers to the arrow shot from a strong crossbow, which is about to reach the end of its range, its strength is exhausted, and it is difficult to shoot far. It is a metaphor for something that has reached its later stage, its strength is weakened, and there is no way to save the situation.

Origin Story

汉武帝时期，匈奴经常侵扰汉朝边境，汉朝多次出兵反击，终于将匈奴打得无力招架。但是，汉朝的军队也因为长途跋涉，劳师远征，逐渐变得疲惫不堪，战斗力也大大下降。汉武帝的丞相，也是有名的军事家卫青，向汉武帝建议：“匈奴现在已经是强弩之末，我们应该趁机彻底击垮他们。”汉武帝采纳了卫青的建议，再次出兵，最终将匈奴彻底打败，使汉朝边境得到了长久的安定。

hàn wǔ dì shí qī, xiōng nú jīng cháng qīn rǎo hàn cháo biān jìng, hàn cháo duō cì chū bīng fǎn jī, zhōng yú jiāng xiōng nú dǎ de wú lì zhāo jià. dàn shì, hàn cháo de jūn duì yě yīn wèi cháng tú bá shí, láo shī yuǎn zhēng, zhú jiàn biàn de pí bèi bù kān, zhàn dòu lì yě dà dà xià jiàng. hàn wǔ dì de chéng xiàng, yě shì yǒu míng de jūn shì jiā wèi qīng, xiàng hàn wǔ dì jiàn yì: 'xiōng nú xiàn zài yǐ jīng shì qiáng nǔ zhī mò, wǒ men yīng gāi chèn jī tè dì jī kuǎi tā men.' hàn wǔ dì cǎi nà le wèi qīng de jiàn yì, zài cì chū bīng, zhōng jiù jiāng xiōng nú tè dì dǎ bài, shǐ hàn cháo biān jìng dé dào le cháng jiǔ de ān dìng.

During the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu frequently harassed the borders of the Chinese Empire. The Han Dynasty sent troops many times to defend themselves and finally weakened the Xiongnu so much that they were no longer able to resist. But the Han army, due to the long marches and battles in the distance, gradually became exhausted and their fighting capacity had significantly declined. The Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, the famous military strategist Wei Qing, suggested to Emperor Han Wudi: “The Xiongnu are now at the end of their strength, we should take this opportunity to completely defeat them.” Han Wudi accepted Wei Qing's suggestion and sent troops again, who finally completely defeated the Xiongnu, ensuring long-term peace on the borders of the Han Dynasty.

Usage

强弩之末，用来比喻事物发展到后期，力量衰竭，无力回天。

qiáng nǔ zhī mò, yòng lái bǐ yù shì wù fā zhǎn dào hòu qī, lì liàng shuāi jié, wú lì huí tiān.

强弩之末 is used to describe something that has reached its later stage and its strength is exhausted and there is no way to save the situation.

Examples

• 汉武帝时期，匈奴的强大力量已经衰弱，就像强弩之末，无法再威胁汉朝的边境了。

  hàn wǔ dì shí qī, xiōng nú de qiáng dà lì liàng yǐ jīng shuāi ruò, jiù xiàng qiáng nǔ zhī mò, wú fǎ zài wēi xié hàn cháo de biān jìng le.

  During the Han Dynasty, the strength of the Xiongnu had already weakened, like a bow at the end of its strength, and could no longer threaten the borders of the Han Dynasty.

• 这个公司已经走到了强弩之末，再这样下去，恐怕就要倒闭了。

  zhè ge gōng sī yǐ jīng zǒu dào le qiáng nǔ zhī mò, zài zhè yàng xià qù, kǒng pà jiù yào dǎo bì le.

  The company has reached the end of its rope, and if it continues like this, it is likely to collapse.

Related Idioms

• 师老兵疲

• 罢夫羸老

• 强弩末矢

Opposite Idioms

• 势不可挡

• 势如破竹