风中之烛 candle in the wind
Explanation
比喻随时可能灭亡的事物或人，多指老年人或行将就木的事物。
A metaphor for something or someone that may perish at any time, often referring to the elderly or things that are about to die.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有一个饱经沧桑的老人，他一生经历了无数的风风雨雨，如今已是风烛残年。他坐在院子里，望着夕阳西下，心中感慨万千。他回忆起自己年轻的时候，意气风发，充满活力，就像一棵挺拔的青松，经历了多少风霜雪雨，依然傲然挺立。如今，他就像风中摇曳的烛火，随时都有可能熄灭。他明白，人生就像一场旅程，终点终将来临。他珍惜着生命中的每一刻，希望能够留下一些有意义的东西，让后代铭记。他开始写下自己的回忆录，记录自己一生的经历和感悟，希望能够为子孙后代留下宝贵的精神财富。
In the Tang Dynasty, there was an old man who had experienced many ups and downs in his life. He was now in his twilight years. Sitting in the courtyard, he watched the sun set, filled with emotion. He recalled his youth, when he was full of vigor, like a tall pine tree, weathering countless storms. Now, however, he was like a candle flickering in the wind, about to be extinguished at any moment. He understood that life is like a journey, with an inevitable end. Cherishing each moment, he hoped to leave something meaningful behind for future generations. He began writing his memoirs, recording his life experiences and insights, hoping to leave behind a valuable spiritual legacy for his descendants.
Usage
用作宾语；比喻随时可能灭亡的事物或人。
Used as an object; a metaphor for something or someone that may perish at any time.
Examples
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他年事已高，如同风中之烛，随时都有可能离开人世。
tā nián shì yǐ gāo, rútóng fēng zhōng zhī zhú, suíshí dōu yǒu kěnéng líkāi rén shì.
He is old, like a candle in the wind, and may leave the world at any time.
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这家公司如今已是风中之烛，随时可能倒闭。
zhè jiā gōngsī rújīn yǐshì fēng zhōng zhī zhú, suíshí kěnéng dǎobì.
This company is now like a candle in the wind and could collapse at any time.