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    为失败埋下伏笔 (wèi shībài mái xià fúbǐ - lay the groundwork for failure)

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    neutral

    How it works

    This expression uses the structure "为 [对象] 埋下伏笔", meaning 'to lay groundwork/foreshadowing for [object]'. In this specific phrase, the object is '失败 (shībài)' meaning 'failure', thus signifying actions that lead to an eventual negative outcome. The '为 (wèi)' indicates 'for' or 'in preparation for'.

    Sample sentences

    他过于自信，没有做好充分准备，这无疑为失败埋下了伏笔。

    He was overconfident and didn't prepare adequately, which undoubtedly laid the groundwork for failure.

    公司的决策层无视市场变化，一意孤行，为未来的困境埋下了伏笔。

    The company's decision-makers ignored market changes and acted unilaterally, laying the groundwork for future difficulties.

    如果今天不解决这些小问题，就等于为明天更大的麻烦埋下伏笔。

    If these small issues aren't resolved today, it's tantamount to laying the groundwork for bigger troubles tomorrow.

    Quick facts

    etymology:伏笔 (fúbǐ) literally means 'hidden stroke' or 'foreshadowing' in writing, where an author hints at future events. This expression extends that literary concept to real-life actions leading to a specific outcome, often negative.

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    他过于自信，没有做好充分准备，这无疑为失败埋下了伏笔。

    He was overconfident and didn't prepare adequately, which undoubtedly laid the groundwork for failure.

    公司的决策层无视市场变化，一意孤行，为未来的困境埋下了伏笔。

    The company's decision-makers ignored market changes and acted unilaterally, laying the groundwork for future difficulties.

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