破功

    pògōng

    Meaning: "破" means to "break, destroy," and "功" means "martial art skills." Originating from wuxia (martial artists) fiction, this term is related to the concept that a practice of abstinence is required in achieving certain top-level martial skills. If someone has been practicing the skills for some time but breaks the abstinence by accident, he or she will lose the chance of achieving their goal. People would call this situation "破功." In a more general sense, the term refers to situations where people fail in a long sustained cause or have their carefully kept image destroyed.

    Example

    A: 你最近好像苗条了不少。

    Nǐ zuìjìn hǎoxiàng miáotiáo le bùshǎo。

    You seem to have shed quite a few pounds lately.

    B: 我坚持节食计划两个月了。

    Wǒ jiānchí jiéshí jìhuà liǎnggèyuè le。

    I've been on diet for two months.

    A: 周末我打算做披萨饼，你要不要来我家尝尝？

    Zhōumò wǒ dǎsuàn zuò pīsàbǐng, nǐ yàobùyào lái wǒjiā chángcháng?

    I'll make pizza this weekend. Would you come over to have a try?

    B: 我害怕吃多了破功，还是不来了。

    Wǒ hàipà chī duō le pògōng, háishì bù lái le。

    I'd better not. I'm afraid I would overeat and sabotage my weight loss scheme.