Definition
落荒而逃 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to flee in panic' or 'to take flight after a defeat'. The literal image is of abandoning one's camp and running into the wilderness. You use it for situations where someone is forced to retreat in disorder or shame — not just any escape, but a hasty, disorganized one, often after losing a battle or argument.
f.e.
to flee the scene in defeat or panicto take flight
Examples
- 落荒而逃。Dírén bèi dǎbài hòu là le.The enemy was defeated and fled in panic.
- ，落荒而逃。Tā zài biànlùn zhōng lǐ qū cí qióng, zhǐhǎo là.With no argument left in the debate, he had to beat a retreat.
- ，落荒而逃。Nàxiē wúliáng shāngjiā jiàn jiǎnchá rényuán lái le, lìkè là.Those unscrupulous merchants immediately fled in panic when the inspectors arrived.
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