Definition
栽跟头 is a colloquial verb-object phrase (离合词) meaning literally 'to fall and tumble' and figuratively 'to suffer a setback, fail, or be embarrassed'. The literal sense is used for physical falls; the figurative sense is common in business, career, or life contexts. As a separable verb, you can insert measure words or modifiers between 栽 and 跟头, e.g. 栽了一个大跟头 ('took a big fall').
v.o.
to fall and tumble (literally)to suffer a setbackto failto be embarrassed (figuratively)
Examples
- ，栽跟头。Tā zǒulù bù xiǎoxīn, zāi gēn tou le.He wasn't careful while walking and took a tumble.
- 。Zhè cì tóuzī ràng tā zāi le yí ge dà gēn tou.This investment made him suffer a major setback.
- ，。Niánqīng de shíhou duō zāi jǐ cì gēn tou, yǐhòu jiù gèng yǒu jīngyàn le.If you stumble a few times when you're young, you'll have more experience later.
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