Definition
事不过三 is a Chinese idiom meaning 'a thing should not exceed three times.' It expresses the idea that if a mistake or offense happens for the third time, it's unforgivable — similar to 'three strikes and you're out.' You often use it to warn someone that their third misstep will have consequences.
idiom
three strikes and you're outsomething should not be allowed to happen more than three times
Examples
- ,事不过三,。Nǐ yǐjīng fàn le liǎng cì cuòwù, shì bú, bù néng zài fàn dì sān cì.You've already made two mistakes; three strikes and you're out — you can't make a third.
- ,事不过三,。Tā qián liǎng cì jiè qián dōu méi huán, shì bú, wǒ bù xiǎng zài jiè gěi tā le.He didn't pay back the first two times he borrowed money; three strikes and you're out — I don't want to lend to him again.
- :'事不过三,。'Māma jǐnggào wǒ shuō: 'shì bú, zài wǎn guī yí cì jiù kòu língyòngqián.'Mom warned me: 'Three strikes — if you come home late one more time, I'll deduct your allowance.'
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