Chinese word

万无一失

Pronunciation

Pinyinwàn wú yī shī

Meaning

  • idiomsure to succeed

Example

有了他的帮助，任务万无一失。yǒu le tā de bāng zhù rèn wù wàn wú yì shī

With his help, the task is sure to succeed.

Illustration for 万无一失 (sure to succeed)

More examples

面试前，他把准备工作做得万无一失，表现沉着冷静。miàn shì qián tā bǎ zhǔn bèi gōng zuò zuò de wàn wú yì shī biǎo xiàn chén zhuó lěng jìng

Before the interview, he made the preparations foolproof and stayed calm and composed.

Core concept

Every possible opening for trouble is closed, leaving no single point at which the plan can fail.

Common phrases

  • 把准备工作做得万无一失bǎ zhǔn bèi gōng zuò zuò de wàn wú yì shī

    make the preparations foolproof

  • 审查要做到万无一失shěn chá yào zuò dào wàn wú yì shī

    make the review foolproof

Similar words

滴水不漏dī shuǐ bú lòu: A plan or course of action is complete and leaves no weak points.
十拿九稳shí ná jiú wěn: Success is highly likely because the situation has been carefully prepared and understood.
铁板钉钉tié bǎn dìng dīng: A decision or result is fixed and very unlikely to be changed.

Definition in Chinese

用于形容准备非常周到，能够排除一切差错或危险，事情极为稳妥。yòng yú xíng róng zhǔn bèi fēi cháng zhōu dào néng gòu pái chú yí qiè chā cuò huò wēi xiǎn shì qíng jí wéi wén tuǒ

Word origin

The idiom 万 (wàn, "ten thousand") + 无 (wú, "without") + 一 (yī, "one") + 失 (shī, "loss") pictures ten thousand chances with not even one loss, expressing complete reliability.

Usage tips

  • It commonly follows 保证 (bǎozhèng, "guarantee") or 确保 (quèbǎo, "ensure"), linking the idiom to careful preparation rather than unsupported confidence.

Other meanings

  • fail-safeidiom

Opposites

  • 岌岌可危jí jí kě wēibe in imminent dangeridiom

Word lists with this word