峰回路转
fēng huí lù zhuǎn
the path winds through the peaks; (of events) to take a new turn, often for the better
Character by character
峰fēng
peaks
peaks
回huí
wind
wind
路lù
road
road
转zhuǎn
turn
turn
Example
我们以为比赛输定了，没想到峰回路转，最后两分钟连进两球。
We thought the match was lost, but it turned around completely: two goals in the last two minutes.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From 欧阳修’s 《醉翁亭记》 (1046): 峰回路转，有亭翼然临于泉上者，醉翁亭也. Used literally of mountain roads and, far more often, of a story or a match that suddenly changes course after a setback.
Learn this in Lesson 21 · HSK 5: 山城重庆 (Chongqing, the mountain city)
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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