Proverb / Kotowaza
万事休す
A state where all measures have failed and it is too late to take further action.
Ten thousand matters come to a halt
Quick Answer
A state where all measures have failed and it is too late to take further action.
- Literal Image
- Ten thousand matters come to a halt
- How to Use It
- It is used when someone realizes that a situation has reached a dead end and there is no way to recover or fix it.
Meaning
This expression describes a hopeless situation where every available resource or strategy has been exhausted. It conveys the realization that no matter what one does now, the outcome cannot be changed because all possibilities have been spent.
Literal Image
Ten thousand matters come to a halt
How to Use It
It is used when someone realizes that a situation has reached a dead end and there is no way to recover or fix it.
Tone
This phrase carries a strong sense of resignation or despair when facing inevitable failure.
Examples
メインサーバーが物理的に破壊されては、復旧は無理だ。万事休すだ。
With the main server physically destroyed, recovery is impossible. It is all over.
最後のチャンスも逃してしまい、もはや万事休すと言わざるを得ない。
Having missed the final chance, I have to say it is now too late to do anything.
現場に到着したときには既に試合が終了しており、万事休すであった。
By the time I arrived at the scene, the match had already ended, and nothing more could be done.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The phrase uses the kanji for 'ten thousand matters' and a classical verb form 'kyuusu', which is slightly advanced but in writing.
万事
ばんじ / banji
all matters; everything
休す
きゅうす / kyuusu
to cease; to stop; to end
Usage Profile
Usage note: Using this indicates you have given up, so avoid it if you still intend to keep trying.
Misread Risk
It does not mean taking a break (resting); it means that the situation itself has come to a permanent halt where nothing can be done.
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Origin
This expression originates from an anecdote in the Chinese historical text 'Songshi' (History of Song). It was originally used to describe a state where no action or medicine had any effect on a situation.
Index
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.