盛极而衰
shèng jí ér shuāi
to decline after reaching the peak
Character by character
盛shèng
flourish
flourish
极jí
utmost
utmost
而ér
and
and
衰shuāi
decline
decline
Example
这个品牌十年前红遍全国，后来盛极而衰，现在已经很少有人提起了。
Ten years ago this brand was the rage across the country; after its peak it faded, and few people mention it now.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
The old idea that anything at its peak can only go down, close to 物极必反. Said of dynasties, companies, fashions and careers, usually looking back.
Learn this in Lesson 99 · HSK 6–7: 康乾盛世 (The High Qing of Kangxi and Qianlong)
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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