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破罐破摔

Mandarin · pinyin pò guàn pò shuāi

(lit.) to smash a pot just because it has a crack (idiom)
(fig.) to give up altogether after a setback; to throw one's hands up in frustration and let it all go to hell

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Characters in this entry

破: pò · break, ruin, destroy; rout
罐: guàn · jar, jug, pitcher, pot
摔: shuāi · fall to the ground; stumble, trip

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Mandarin tones

4–4–4–1 · po4 guan4 po4 shuai1

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 1 sense · 1 Cantonese reading

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

po3 gun3 po3 seot1

Cantonese word readings for 破罐破摔. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to allow things to worsen even if you know there are faults or mistakes

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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