成王败寇 the victor becomes king, the loser becomes a bandit
Explanation
这个成语出自《史记·项羽本纪》。意思是说，战争的结果往往取决于力量的对比，胜者为王，败者为寇。也指在权力斗争中，胜利者掌握权力，失败者则被视为罪犯。
This idiom comes from "Records of the Grand Historian - Biography of Xiang Yu". It means that the result of a war often depends on the comparison of strength, the winner is the king, and the loser is the bandit. It also refers to the power struggle, the winner has power, and the losers are seen as criminals.
Origin Story
话说楚汉相争，项羽和刘邦为了争夺天下，展开了激烈的战争。项羽武力超群，屡战屡胜，一度占据了绝对优势。然而，在垓下之战中，他被刘邦的军队包围，最终兵败自杀。项羽虽败犹荣，他英勇善战的故事流传至今。但这场战争也体现了成王败寇的残酷现实，胜者刘邦建立了汉朝，而败者项羽则成为了历史上的悲剧人物。项羽的失败，并非他个人的失败，而是楚国几百年积累下来的实力的失败。他的失败，也警示着后世统治者，在追求权力的过程中，要审时度势，否则必将落得和项羽一样的下场。
The Chu-Han Contention saw Xiang Yu and Liu Bang fight fiercely for control of the land. Xiang Yu, a military genius, won numerous battles and held a significant advantage. Yet, at the Battle of Gaixia, he was encircled and ultimately committed suicide. While Xiang Yu's defeat was glorious, his valiant battles are still recounted today. This war, however, vividly illustrated the harsh reality of survival of the fittest. Liu Bang, the victor, established the Han Dynasty, while the defeated Xiang Yu became a tragic figure in history. His downfall wasn't just personal; it signified the collapse of Chu's centuries-long accumulated strength. His defeat serves as a cautionary tale for future rulers: accurately assessing the situation is crucial in the pursuit of power, lest they suffer a similar fate.
Usage
常用作宾语、定语，形容在竞争或斗争中，胜利者占据优势地位，失败者则处于劣势。
Often used as an object or attributive, to describe that in competition or struggle, the winner has the dominant position, and the loser is in a disadvantageous position.
Examples
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历史的长河中，成王败寇是屡见不鲜的现象。
lìshǐ de cháng hé zhōng, chéng wáng bài kòu shì lǚjiàn bùxiān de xiànxiàng.
In the long river of history, the survival of the fittest is a common phenomenon.
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在商场上，成王败寇是常态，只有不断努力才能取得成功。
zài shāng chǎng shàng, chéng wáng bài kòu shì chángtài, zhǐyǒu bùduàn nǔlì cáinéng qǔdé chénggōng
In the business world, the survival of the fittest is the norm; only through constant efforts can we succeed.