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气急败坏

qì jí bài huài

flustered and furious

Character by character

气qì
breath
急jí
rapid
败bài
ruined
坏huài
wrecked

Example

被人当场揭穿,他气急败坏地走了。
Exposed on the spot, he stormed off in a fury.

Tone: negative (criticism).

Usage and origin

Losing one’s temper and composure, usually after being caught out or losing.

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