hữu thủy vô chung
Definition
- Idiom:
- To have a beginning but no end; to start but not finish: Describes an attitude, action, or endeavor that is inconsistent, not followed through to completion, or lacks perseverance. It implies a failure to maintain initial effort or commitment.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Kế hoạch của họ cứ hữu thủy vô chung, chẳng bao giờ thấy kết quả. (Their plans always have a beginning but no end; results are never seen.)
- Đừng hứa hữu thủy vô chung, hãy kiên trì đến cùng. (Don't make promises you won't keep; persevere to the end.)
- Tính cách hữu thủy vô chung ấy khiến anh ta khó thành công. (That inconsistent character makes it hard for him to succeed.)
Advanced Usage
- This idiom is often used in formal or literary contexts to critique a person's unreliable nature or the flawed execution of a project. It carries a strong connotation of disappointment or criticism regarding a lack of steadfastness.
Variants and Related Words
- Đầu voi đuôi chuột (idiom): Literally "an elephant's head and a mouse's tail"; meaning a grand start but a poor, insignificant finish.
- Nửa vời (adj): Half-hearted, incomplete.
Synonyms
- Inconsistent: Not staying the same in behavior or attitude.
- Unfinished: Not brought to an end.
- Lacking follow-through: Failing to complete a course of action.
Related Idioms
- Cả thèm chóng chán: Quickly fascinated and quickly bored; fickle.
- Ba chìm bảy nổi: Literally "three sinks, seven floats"; meaning a life of ups and downs, instability.