万无一失(萬無一失)
万无一失 (wàn wú yī shī) literally means “ten thousand without one failure”and expresses “absolutely sure; foolproof”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy & action.
Also searched as: wan wu yi shi, wan wu yi shi,万无一失 meaning, 万无一失 in english
Pronunciation: wàn wú yī shī Literal meaning: Ten thousand without one failure
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes ten thousand (万) attempts without (无) one (一) failure (失). It depicts absolute reliability with no margin for error. The phrase was used for guaranteed outcomes. Modern usage describes plans or methods considered absolutely foolproof, though often used with ironic awareness that nothing is truly perfect.
When to Use
Situation: The plan was designed to be absolutely foolproof.
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Airtight; impenetrable
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Inescapable net; dragnet
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Be imperative; must be done
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Relieve pressure by attacking the source
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Strategic retreat for ultimate victory
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Create a diversion; use misdirection
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 万无一失 mean in English?
万无一失 (wàn wú yī shī) literally translates to “Ten thousand without one failure”and is used to express “Absolutely sure; foolproof”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theStrategy & Action category..
When is 万无一失 used?
Situation: The plan was designed to be absolutely foolproof.
What is the pinyin for 万无一失?
The pinyin pronunciation for 万无一失 is “wàn wú yī shī”.