To waste one's time, especially one's youth or prime, doing nothing meaningful; to let years slip by idly and achieve nothing.
他深感后悔，年轻时未能把握机会，任由岁月蹉跎
He deeply regretted not seizing opportunities in his youth, allowing his years to slip by idly.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Tang Dynasty, the poet Li Qi passed the imperial examination (became a 'jinshi') at the age of 40 and served as the magistrate of Xinxiang County. Dissatisfied with his official career, he resigned and devoted himself to poetry creation.
When his friend Wei Wan was heading to the capital, Chang'an, to take the imperial examinations and seek official positions, Li Qi wrote him a farewell poem titled 'Sending Wei Wan to the Capital' (《送魏万之京》). In the poem, he warned his friend: 'Do not be enchanted by the pleasures of Chang'an, lest you idly let your years slip by.'
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