贻害无穷 far-reaching consequences
Explanation
贻：遗留；害：祸患。遗留下无穷无尽的祸患。
Yí: leave behind; hài: calamity. Leaving behind endless calamities.
Origin Story
话说古代有一个昏庸的国王，只顾自己享乐，对百姓疾苦漠不关心。他任意征收重税，大兴土木，穷奢极欲，使得国库空虚，民不聊生。他死后，国家陷入一片混乱，百姓流离失所，怨声载道。他的暴政给国家和人民带来了无穷的灾难，直到几百年后，国家才逐渐恢复元气，可谓是贻害无穷啊！ 另一个故事，话说在一个偏僻的小山村里，住着一位老巫婆，她掌握着一些邪恶的法术。她经常用这些法术来害人，导致村子里的人们生活在水深火热之中。她不仅诅咒他人，还用巫术使村庄遭受旱涝灾害。她的恶行给村庄带来了深重的灾难，许多人因此丧生。 老巫婆死后，她的恶行依旧在村民心中留下深刻的印象，给下一代人敲响警钟，也使小山村几十年都无法恢复生机，这便是贻害无穷的恶果。
It is said that in ancient times there was a tyrannical king who only cared about his own pleasures and was indifferent to the suffering of his people. He arbitrarily levied heavy taxes, undertook large-scale construction projects, and indulged in luxury, resulting in an empty treasury and a miserable life for the people. After his death, the country fell into chaos, the people were displaced, and complaints filled the air. His tyranny brought endless suffering to the country and its people, and only centuries later did the country gradually recover – an example of far-reaching consequences.
Usage
作谓语、定语；多用于否定句。
Used as a predicate and attributive; mostly used in negative sentences.
Examples
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他这种做法贻害无穷，后果不堪设想。
tā zhè zhǒng zuòfǎ yí hài wú qióng, hòuguǒ bù kān shèxiǎng
His actions will have far-reaching consequences, the outcome is unimaginable.
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这场战争贻害无穷，给人民带来了深重的灾难。
zhè chǎng zhànzhēng yí hài wú qióng, gěi rénmín dài lái le shēnzhòng de zāinàn
This war has had far-reaching consequences, bringing deep suffering to the people..