节节败退 step by step retreat
Explanation
形容接连失败退缩。
Describes successive failures and retreats.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀汉名将诸葛亮北伐中原，却屡屡受挫。魏军实力强劲，蜀军兵力不足，在漫长的征战中，蜀军节节败退，一次次地从战略要地撤回，最终诸葛亮病逝五丈原，北伐事业功亏一篑。这便是历史上著名的“六出祁山”的故事，蜀军节节败退的悲壮景象，令人扼腕叹息。然而，诸葛亮鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已的精神，也成为了千古佳话。纵然北伐失败，但他的忠诚和智慧，依然光照史册。
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the famous general of Shu Han, made repeated attempts to conquer the north of China, but repeatedly suffered setbacks. The Wei army was strong, and the Shu army's strength was insufficient, so in the long battles, the Shu army retreated step by step, and repeatedly withdrew from strategic locations. Eventually, Zhuge Liang died of illness at Wuzhangyuan, and the northern expedition ended in failure. This is the famous "Six Expeditions to Qishan" in history, and the tragic scene of the Shu army's continuous retreat is heartbreaking. However, Zhuge Liang's spirit of complete dedication and death has become a legendary story. Even though the northern expedition failed, his loyalty and wisdom still shine brightly in the annals of history.
Usage
作谓语；形容接连失败退缩。
As predicate; describes successive failures and retreats.
Examples
-
面对强敌，他们节节败退，最终全军覆没。
miànduì qiángdí, tāmen jié jié bàituì, zuìzhōng quánjūn fùmó.
Faced with a strong enemy, they retreated step by step, eventually losing the entire army.
-
公司业绩连续下滑，市场份额节节败退。
gōngsī yèjī liánxù xiàhuá, shìchǎng fèn'é jié jié bàituì
The company's performance has been continuously declining, and its market share is shrinking step by step.