Hanzi
尸居余气
尸居余气
尸居余气
尸居余气
尸居余气
尸居余气
尸居余气
尸居余气
尸居余气
尸居余气

shī尸jū居yú余qì气

To be barely clinging to life, on the verge of death; or to be utterly lethargic, inactive, and spiritless, showing no vitality or initiative.

他最近精神不振，整天尸居余气，对什么都提不起兴趣。
He has been in low spirits lately, always looking as if he's barely clinging to life, showing no interest in anything.

Era:

Ancient

Frequency:

Synonym:

气息奄奄

Antonym:

生机勃勃

Story:

In the later period of the Three Kingdoms, after the 8-year-old Cao Fang ascended the throne, the imperial court was jointly controlled by Sima Yi and Cao Shuang. Cao Shuang seized the opportunity to expand his faction.

Sima Yi, however, deliberately pretended to ignore state affairs, covertly monitoring Cao Shuang's moves.

Li Sheng, a member of Cao Shuang's faction, went to Sima Yi's residence to probe his true condition. Sima Yi feigned a state of being barely alive, appearing utterly lethargic and spiritless.

This deception caused Cao Shuang to relax his guard, and not long after, Sima Yi swiftly eliminated Cao Shuang and his entire faction.

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