jat1 se3 cin1 lei5一瀉千里一泻千里
Jyutpingjat1 se3 cin1 lei5
Yaleyāt se chīn léih
Definition
To flow down in a rushing torrent to a far distance; to have a rapid, sweeping advance or a sudden, drastic decline.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Originally describing the rapid flow of water, this idiom is now primarily used metaphorically to describe a sudden, continuous decline in performance, status, or value. It carries a sense of helplessness, implying that once the downward trend begins, it is difficult to stop or reverse. It is frequently applied to financial markets, academic results, or the popularity of a public figure.
Examples
The performance of his stock market portfolio is really plummeting.
Why have your grades dropped so drastically?
Related words
Common phrases
grades falling sharply
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive term describing rapid progress, but it is almost exclusively used for negative developments. It should not be used to describe a fast-moving stream of water in a literal sense in modern daily speech.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
