功亏一篑

Explanation: Loss: lack; basketful: Sheng soil basket. Heap high the mountain nine yards, just missing a basket of earth can not be completed. Finally, only a thin metaphor for things that could not be completed. 　　Usage: Predicate; as predicate; that begin with 　　Source: "A Book of Travel": "as Mountain 9 yards, lost by the wayside." 　　Examples: If not, and inside and outside the court, frequently constraints will make the thieves destroy a major event, ~. (Like Yao, "Rereading," Chapter II 32nd) Thesaurus:  be irrevocally lost as sth. is thrown into the eastward flowing stream, all one's efforts wasted, There's many a slip between the cup and the lip; fail in a great undertaking on the verge of success, Guilengzhichuang, (usually said of a martyr, hero, etc.) to die before the fulfilment of his ambition or aspiration Antonym Group:  You pays your money and takes your choice., Jinru wish, be in one's element (like fish in water), sit pretty, try to find humanity and finally get if, fruits fall off when ripe— things will be easily settled when conditions are ripe, Guashushengluo, win instant success