Definition
死棋 literally means 'dead piece' in chess (围棋/象棋) — a piece or move that cannot escape capture. Figuratively, it describes any situation or action that has no chance of success, like a hopeless case or a stupid move in life or work. The metaphor is common in everyday Chinese when talking about unworkable plans or dead-end situations.
n.
(lit.) a dead piece in chess (one that cannot be saved)(fig.) a hopeless situationa dead-end scenario(fig.) a stupid movea blunder that seals failure
Examples
- ，死棋。Zhè pán qí tā yǐjīng shū le, nà bù qí shì ge sǐ qí.He has already lost this game; that move was a dead piece.
- ，死棋。Rúguǒ wǒmen bù gǎibiàn cèlüè, zhège xiàngmù jiù shì yí bù sǐ qí.If we don't change our strategy, this project will be a hopeless case.
- ，死棋。Zài tánpàn zhōng, tíchū nàge tiáojiàn děngyú zǒu le yì zhāo sǐ qí.In the negotiation, proposing that condition was like making a stupid move.
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