san1 baai6 ming4 lit6身敗名裂身败名裂

Jyutpingsan1 baai6 ming4 lit6

Yalesān baaih mìhng liht

語句Rare

Definition

To lose all standing, status, and reputation; to be utterly ruined and discredited.

neutralpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Carries a heavy, dramatic tone often reserved for public figures or individuals involved in major scandals. It implies a total collapse of one's social standing, career, and personal integrity, rather than just a minor mistake. It is frequently used in news reports or when discussing the downfall of someone who once held a position of respect.

Examples

keoi5佢gaau2搞dou3到san1身baai6敗ming4名lit6裂，zan1真hai6係hou2好caam2慘。

It is truly miserable that he ended up completely ruined.

nei5你m4唔hou2好wai6為zo2咗cin2錢，gaau2搞dou3到zi6自gei2己san1身baai6敗ming4名lit6裂aa4呀。

Don't ruin your reputation and life just for money.

Common phrases

gaau2搞dou3到san1身baai6敗ming4名lit6裂

to end up ruined

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe minor personal failures or simple embarrassment. It is a severe idiom that implies a permanent and public loss of dignity that is difficult to recover from.