📖 Meaning
To return in low spirits after having one's enthusiasm dampened. It describes coming back disappointed and deflated after an experience that did not meet expectations.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Ming dynasty author Feng Menglong's 'Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms' (东周列国志), first chapter. In the story, soldiers who had been eager to receive their rewards were dismissed hastily before any rewards were distributed, scattering in disappointment. The original text pairs it with the phrase '乘兴而来，败兴而返' — arriving in high spirits, returning in disappointment. Over time, '败兴而归' became a standalone idiom for coming back disheartened.
💡 Example Usage
本想去看樱花，结果下了一整天雨，只好败兴而归。
We had hoped to see the cherry blossoms, but it rained all day, so we had to return disappointed.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 败兴而归
- Pinyin: bài xìng ér guī
- Literal Translation: lose, interest, and, return
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4