无功而返

Traditional: 無功而返

wú gōng ér fǎn

Dictionary entry

to return without any achievement (idiom); to go home with one's tail between one's legs

What does 无功而返 mean?

无功而返 (wú gōng ér fǎn) has the following dictionary meaning.

1to return without any achievement (idiom); to go home with one's tail between one's legs

Character breakdown

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无móused in 南無|南无[na1 mo2]功gōngmeritorious deed or service · achievement 而érand · as well as 返fǎnto return (to)

Reviewed examples

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How to pronounce 无功而返

无功而返

wú gōng ér fǎn

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Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.