重整旗鼓
chóng zhěng qí gǔ
to regroup and start again after a defeat
Character by character
重chóng
again
again
整zhěng
put in order
put in order
旗qí
flags
flags
鼓gǔ
drums
drums
Example
输掉比赛以后，球队很快重整旗鼓，赢下了接下来的三场。
After the defeat the team quickly regrouped and won the next three matches.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
An army gathering its banners and drums after a defeat. Said of teams, firms and people making a fresh start; 重 is chóng (again), not zhòng. Do not add 重新: ✗重新重整旗鼓.
Learn this in Lesson 149 · HSK 7–9: 中国足球为什么难 (Why Chinese football struggles)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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