Chinese word

转败为胜

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhuǎn bài wéi shèng

Meaning

  • idiomturn a loss into a win

Example

球队在下半场转败为胜。qiú duì zài xià bàn chǎng zhuǎn bài wéi shèng

The team turned a loss into a win in the second half.

Illustration for 转败为胜 (turn a loss into a win)

More examples

她一开始成绩差，最后靠补习转败为胜。tā yì kāi shǐ chéng jì chà zuì hòu kào bǔ xí zhuǎn bài wéi shèng

She did poorly at first, but in the end turned a loss into a win with extra tutoring.

Core concept

A losing position changes direction and becomes a winning one.

Common phrases

  • 在关键时刻转败为胜zài guān jiàn shí kè zhuǎn bài wéi shèng

    turn a loss into a win at a crucial moment

  • 一度落后转败为胜yí dù luò hòu zhuǎn bài wéi shèng

    turn a losing position into a win

Similar words

反败为胜fǎn bài wéi shèng: Reverse an apparent defeat and go on to win.
扳回一城bān huí yì chéng: Win back a round or game after falling behind, improving the situation.

Definition in Chinese

在逆境中把原本处于劣势的情形变成有利或获胜的局面。zài nì jìng zhōng bǎ yuán běn chǔ yú liè shì de qíng xíng biàn chéng yǒu lì huò huò shèng de jú miàn

Word origin

The idiom combines 转 (zhuǎn, "turn") + 败 (bài, "defeat") + 为 (wéi, "become") + 胜 (shèng, "victory") to depict a losing position becoming a winning one.

Usage tips

  • This idiom fits a match, contest, or other unfolding situation where an earlier setback matters, rather than a victory that was secure from the start.

Other meanings

  • turn the tablesidiom

Opposites

  • 败下阵来bài xià zhèn láibe defeatedidiom

Word lists with this word