Definition
This Chengyu (four-character idiom) originates from ancient Chinese medicine: 膏肓 refers to a region between the heart and diaphragm where illness was considered incurable. Today it is used figuratively to describe a situation so dire that it cannot be saved or fixed — whether an illness, a company's finances, a country's problems, or a plan. It is always used as a fixed phrase; do not break it apart.
f.e.
beyond cure (of a situation or illness: extremely serious and hopeless)
Examples
- 病入膏肓，。Zhè jiā gōngsī de cáiwù zhuàngkuàng yǐjīng bìng rù gāo huāng, wúfǎ wǎnjiù le.This company's financial situation is already beyond cure — there's no saving it.
- 病入膏肓，。Rúguǒ bìngqíng yǐjīng bìng rù gāo huāng, yīshēng yě wúnéng wéilì.If the illness has already reached an incurable stage, doctors can do nothing.
- 病入膏肓，。Zhège guójiā de fǔbài wèntí bìng rù gāo huāng, xūyào chèdǐ gǎigé.The corruption problem in this country is beyond cure — it needs thorough reform.
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