机不可失 Opportunity should not be missed
Explanation
机：机会；时：时机。好的时机不可放过，失掉了不会再来。比喻时机难得，要好好把握。
Ji: opportunity; shi: time. A good opportunity should not be missed, it will not come again if lost. It is a metaphor for saying that opportunity is rare and should be seized.
Origin Story
唐太宗贞观年间，唐朝与突厥战争不断。有一次，突厥大举进攻唐朝边境，唐太宗命名将李靖前往迎战。李靖运用高超的军事谋略，大败突厥，突厥首领求和。但李靖认为机不可失，时不再来，建议唐太宗乘胜追击，一举消灭突厥。唐太宗采纳了他的建议，最终取得了辉煌的胜利，维护了国家的安定和统一。这个故事生动地说明了要抓住时机，才能取得成功。
During the reign of Emperor Taizong in the Tang Dynasty, there were constant wars between the Tang Dynasty and the Turks. Once, the Turks launched a major attack on the Tang Dynasty's borders, and Emperor Taizong ordered the famous general Li Jing to fight back. Li Jing used his superb military strategies to defeat the Turks, and the Turkic leader sued for peace. But Li Jing believed that the opportunity should not be missed and advised Emperor Taizong to take advantage of the victory and completely eliminate the Turks. Emperor Taizong adopted his suggestion and ultimately achieved a brilliant victory, maintaining the stability and unity of the country. This story vividly illustrates that seizing the opportunity is the key to success.
Usage
多用于劝勉人们抓住机会，不要错过好时机。
It is often used to encourage people to seize opportunities and not miss good opportunities.
Examples
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这次机会千载难逢，我们必须抓住，机不可失，时不再来！
zheci jihu qianzainianfeng,womenbixuzhua zhu,j i bu keshi,shi bu zailai!
This opportunity is once in a lifetime, we must seize it, time and tide wait for no man!
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创业要把握时机，机不可失，时不再来。
chuang ye yao bawo shiji,jibukeshi,shibuzailai
Entrepreneurship requires seizing the moment, time and tide wait for no man..