📖 Meaning
To severely lose the trust and confidence of the people, causing one's prestige to plummet. It describes a situation where a leader or public figure has disappointed others so thoroughly that their authority and reputation are damaged.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Records of the Grand Historian (史记), specifically in the 'Annals of Gaozu' (高祖本纪). When Liu Bang first entered Guanzhong after overthrowing the Qin dynasty, the people of Qin had endured years of harsh rule under the Qin regime and placed great hope in the new conqueror. However, if a ruler fails to meet such expectations, the people become deeply disillusioned. The text notes that the people of Qin were 'greatly disappointed,' illustrating how losing public trust can undermine a ruler's legitimacy.
💡 Example Usage
这位官员因贪污被曝光，大失人望，最终被迫辞职。
The official was exposed for corruption, greatly losing public trust, and was ultimately forced to resign.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 大失人望
- Pinyin: dà shī rén wàng
- Literal Translation: greatly lose people's expectations
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4