灰飞烟灭 turn to ashes
Explanation
比喻事物消失得干干净净，不复存在。
It is used to describe something disappearing completely, leaving no trace behind.
Origin Story
传说，在古老的蜀国，有一个强大的巫师，他拥有控制自然的力量。他曾经创造过繁荣的王国，人民安居乐业。然而，由于他滥用权力，引发了自然的愤怒。一场巨大的灾难降临，山崩地裂，洪水滔天，巫师的王国瞬间化为乌有，一切都被摧毁，连巫师自己也被卷入其中，灰飞烟灭，最终，只留下一些残垣断壁，诉说着曾经的辉煌与覆灭。这场灾难给后人留下了深刻的教训：权力需要谨慎使用，否则将会带来灾难性的后果。
Legend has it that in ancient Shu, there was a powerful wizard who possessed the ability to control nature. He once created a prosperous kingdom where people lived in peace and happiness. However, he abused his power and incurred the wrath of nature. A great calamity befell the kingdom; mountains crumbled, the earth quaked, and a devastating flood engulfed everything. The wizard's kingdom instantly vanished, leaving behind only ruins and rubble. Even the wizard himself was swept away and turned to dust. This catastrophe taught future generations a valuable lesson: power must be handled with caution, otherwise it can lead to devastating consequences.
Usage
形容事物彻底消失，不复存在。常用于消极的语境。
To describe something completely disappearing and ceasing to exist. Often used in negative contexts.
Examples
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这场战争使得曾经强大的帝国灰飞烟灭。
zhe chang zhanzheng shi de cengjing qiangda de diguo hui fei yan mie
This war caused the once-powerful empire to vanish.
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他的梦想灰飞烟灭了。
ta de mengxiang hui fei yan mie le
His dreams turned to ashes.