卷土重来

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: juǎn tǔ chóng lái
• English Translation: To make a comeback with a vengeance; to return with renewed force
• Idiom Composition: 「卷」（To roll up or swirl）＋「土」（Dust or soil, representing the speed and force of an army）＋「重」（Again or once more）＋「来」（To come or return）
• Meaning: Literally 'rolling up the dust and coming back,' this idiom describes someone who has suffered a defeat or failure but returns with great momentum and power. In modern Chinese, it is frequently used to describe the resurgence of something negative, such as a disease, a disaster, or an opposing force.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「卷土重来」 contains the following nuances:

• Intensity of Momentum: The phrase 卷土 (juǎn tǔ), meaning 'rolling up the dust,' emphasizes that the return is not quiet or subtle, but accompanied by great force and visible impact.
• Shift in Nuance: Originally a neutral or even romanticized expression for a hero's return, in modern Chinese it has shifted toward a 'pejorative' (贬义) or neutral sense, often describing the return of unwanted things like 'the enemy' or 'a plague.'

3. Usage

「卷土重来」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Competition or Conflict: Used to describe a competitor or opposing force that prepares and returns for a rematch.
  • Example:「虽然上次比赛输了，但对手发誓明年一定会卷土重来。」
    （Although they lost the last match, the opponents vowed to make a comeback next year.）
• Resurgence of Negative Phenomena: Commonly used for the return of diseases, viruses, bad weather, or social vices.
  • Example:「如果不加强防范，这种病毒很可能会卷土重来。」
    （If precautions are not strengthened, this virus is likely to return with a vengeance.）
• Personal Resilience: Describes an individual's determination to try again after a major setback.
  • Example:「经历破产后，他并没有气馁，而是准备卷土重来。」
    （After experiencing bankruptcy, he did not lose heart but prepared to stage a comeback.）

Additional Examples:

1. 我们要警惕那些已经被取缔的非法活动卷土重来。
   （We must be vigilant against the resurgence of illegal activities that have already been banned.）
2. 沙尘暴在春季往往会卷土重来，影响空气质量。
   （Sandstorms often return in the spring, affecting the air quality.）
3. 这家公司经过重组后卷土重来，迅速占领了市场。
   （After restructuring, the company made a powerful comeback and quickly captured the market.）
4. 失败并不可怕，可怕的是失去了卷土重来的勇气。
   （Failure is not scary; what is scary is losing the courage to try again.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Source: This idiom comes from the poem 'Inscription on Wujiang Pavilion' (题乌江亭) by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu (杜牧).
• Historical Context: The poem discusses the Chu-Han Contention. Du Mu suggests that if the hegemon Xiang Yu (项羽) had not committed suicide after his defeat but had instead returned to his home region, he might have **made a comeback** and changed history.
• Modern Usage Note: While the original poem was a sympathetic 'what if' regarding a fallen hero, modern speakers often use it to warn against the return of negative forces. For a purely positive 'rising from the ashes' context, learners should consider using 东山再起 (dōng shān zài qǐ).

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 东山再起 (dōng shān zài qǐ): Literally 'rising again from the Eastern Mountain'; used for a person regaining a high position or influence after retirement or failure. Usually positive.
  • 死灰复燃 (sǐ huī fù rán): Literally 'dying embers glowing again'; used to describe the resurgence of evil forces or bad habits. Strongly negative.
  • 异军突起 (yì jūn tū qǐ): A new force suddenly emerges and develops rapidly.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 一蹶不振 (yī jué bù zhèn): To collapse after a single setback and never recover.
  • 销声匿迹 (xiāo shēng nì jì): To disappear from the scene; to keep a very low profile and vanish from public view.link
  • 灰心丧气 (huī xīn sàng qì): To be discouraged and lose heart.link

6. Summary

The idiom 卷土重来 (juǎn tǔ chóng lái) evokes the image of an army's horses kicking up clouds of dust as they charge back into battle. While it originated from a poem reflecting on a hero's potential return, modern usage often carries a negative or neutral nuance, such as a virus returning or an enemy counterattacking. When describing a positive personal recovery, the idiom 东山再起 (dōng shān zài qǐ) is often a more suitable alternative.