孤注一掷

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: gū zhù yī zhì
• English Translation: To stake everything on a single throw (to go for broke)
• Idiom Composition: 「孤」（Single or sole (referring to the last remaining stake)）＋「注」（Stake or bet (money placed in gambling)）＋「一」（One or single）＋「掷」（To throw or cast (referring to dice)）
• Meaning: To risk all of one's resources or remaining strength on a single venture during a crisis, much like a gambler betting their entire fortune on one final roll of the dice. It describes a high-stakes situation where failure results in total loss.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「孤注一掷」 contains the following nuances:

• High Risk, High Reward: The idiom emphasizes taking a dangerous gamble to break through a stalemate, with no guarantee of success and the potential for total ruin.
• Desperate Circumstances: It is typically used when a person feels they have no other options left, making a decision out of necessity rather than a balanced choice.
• Derogatory Nuance: While it can describe a heroic last stand, it is frequently used to criticize reckless behavior or the irrationality of a 'gambler's' desperation.

3. Usage

「孤注一掷」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Business & Investment: Used when a company on the brink of failure makes an extremely high-risk management decision, such as betting all remaining capital on a single project.
  • Example:「这家公司决定孤注一掷，把所有资金都投入到新产品的研发中。」
    （The company decided to go for broke by investing all its capital into the research and development of a new product.）
• Life Decisions: Used when someone makes a life-altering decision, often abandoning stability to pursue a dream against all odds.
  • Example:「他不顾家人的反对，孤注一掷地辞职去创业了。」
    （Ignoring his family's objections, he staked everything on a single throw by resigning to start his own business.）
• Sports & Competition: Used when a team or coach adopts a high-risk, aggressive tactic to overturn a losing situation in the final moments.
  • Example:「比赛只剩最后几分钟，教练决定孤注一掷，换上了全部进攻球员。」
    （With only minutes left in the game, the coach decided to make a last-ditch gamble by putting in all the offensive players.）

Additional Examples:

1. 与其坐以待毙，不如孤注一掷，或许还有一线生机。
   （Rather than sitting and waiting for death, it is better to risk everything on one last effort; there might still be a slim chance of survival.）
2. 他在赌场上输红了眼，最后孤注一掷，结果输得精光。
   （Having lost heavily at the casino, he lost his reason and staked everything on a final bet, only to end up completely penniless.）
3. 这是一个孤注一掷的计划，一旦失败，后果不堪设想。
   （This is a go-for-broke plan; if it fails, the consequences will be unimaginable.）
4. 为了挽回名誉，他选择了孤注一掷。
   （To redeem his reputation, he chose to make one last desperate gamble.）
5. 别总是想着孤注一掷，稳扎稳打才是长久之计。
   （Don't always think about staking everything on a single throw; steady progress is the secret to long-term success.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This idiom comes from the History of Song (宋史) in the biography of Kou Zhun (寇准). When the Song Dynasty (宋朝) was under threat from invaders, Chancellor Kou Zhun (寇准) urged Emperor Zhenzong (真宗) to lead the army personally. A political rival, Wang Qinruo (王钦若), criticized this move by saying Kou Zhun (寇准) was treating the Emperor like a 'sole stake' (孤注) in a 'single throw' (一掷) of a gamble.
• Nuance: Originally, the term was used as a criticism of a reckless gamble that endangered the sovereign. In modern English contexts, it is similar to 'putting all your eggs in one basket,' but with a much stronger sense of desperation and impending crisis.
• Comparison: While 破釜沉舟 (pò fǔ chén zhōu) also describes a 'do or die' determination, it carries a positive, heroic connotation of cutting off retreat to ensure victory. In contrast, 孤注一掷 (gū zhù yī zhì) focuses on the high-risk, gambling nature of the action and is often viewed more critically.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 破釜沉舟 (pò fǔ chén zhōu): To break the cauldrons and sink the boats; to cut off all means of retreat and fight with a 'do or die' resolve.
  • 背水一战 (bèi shuǐ yī zhàn): To fight with one's back to the river; to fight a desperate battle where there is no escape, forcing one to give their all.
  • 狗急跳墙 (gǒu jí tiào qiáng): A cornered dog will jump over a wall, meaning that a desperate person may resort to extreme measures.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 举棋不定 (jǔ qí bù dìng): To hold a chess piece without knowing where to move; to be hesitant and unable to make a decision.
  • 稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ): To go about things steadily and surely; to advance step by step while securing one's position.
  • 三思而后行 (sān sī ér hòu xíng): Think thrice before you act.link
  • 深谋远虑 (shēn móu yuǎn lǜ): To plan deeply and consider long-term.link

6. Summary

The idiom 孤注一掷 (gū zhù yī zhì) refers to making an all-or-nothing gamble when pushed into a corner. It characterizes a desperate last-ditch effort where one puts everything on the line for a chance at a breakthrough. While it can represent a bold decision, it is often used to describe reckless or desperate behavior.