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건곤일척 乾坤一擲
To stake everything on a single, decisive throw of the dice; risking heaven and earth on one final battle.
건곤일척 (乾坤一擲) means "To stake everything on a single, decisive throw of the dice; risking heaven and earth on one final battle.". This idiom originates from the poem 'Passing Honggou' by the Tang Dynasty poet Han Yu. During the hi
1 Meaning
건곤일척 (乾坤一擲) means “To stake everything on a single, decisive throw of the dice; risking heaven and earth on one final battle.”.
'Geon-gon-il-cheok' refers to the act of risking everything on one final outcome, derived from the imagery of wagering both heaven and earth on a single toss. it symbolizes a life-defining moment where one pours all their resources and soul into a single, decisive attempt.
2 Examples
A professional deciding to leave a stable corporate job to launch a long-dreamed-of personal brand.
Investing their entire life savings and severance pay into the development of an innovative flagship product.
An athlete who suffers an injury just before the final Olympic qualifiers but refuses to give up their last chance.
Pushing through the pain to channel every ounce of physical and mental energy into the final minute of the competition.
A student facing the final section of a high-stakes exam they have spent years preparing for.
Shaking off exhaustion to mobilize every bit of knowledge for the very last question on the paper.
Which situation fits this idiom?
Pick the everyday scene where “건곤일척” fits best.
3 Origin
4 Key Lessons
True courage is the willingness to risk everything for your convictions, regardless of the potential outcome.
A victory is won when a prepared individual dares to gamble their destiny on a fleeting opportunity.
Internal conviction and the strength to follow through are more powerful than the doubts or opinions of others.
5 English Expression
English Vocabulary
race
질주하다, 경주하다
"He decided to race against the professional driver."
play it safe
신중하게 행동하다, 안전책을 강구하다
"Instead of investing everything, he chose to play it safe."
hold my ground
내 자리를 지키다, 굴하지 않다
"She held her ground during the heated debate."
busted
부서진, 고장난
"My phone is completely busted after I dropped it."
6 Learn with Music
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건곤일척
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