孤注一掷
What does 孤注一掷 mean?
To stake everything on one bold, desperate move when there is nothing left to be cautious about
把全部希望和力量都押在一次行动上，带着冒险和孤注一掷的意味。
Historical origin
In this story, when the Liao army came close to the Song capital, many ministers wanted the emperor to flee south, but Kou Zhun argued that the army would only stand firm if the emperor went north to Chanzhou. The emperor, though afraid and inexperienced in war, went to the city wall in person, and the soldiers' courage rose at once. On the way home, a young court recorder called this a "gu zhu yi zhi," but Kou Zhun said it was not a reckless gamble, only the one action the moment required.
How do you use 孤注一掷 in a sentence?
With the company almost out of money, the team made a 孤注一掷 by putting all their effort into one final product launch.
公司快没钱了，团队只好孤注一掷，把全部力量都投入最后一次产品发布。
Common mistake
Do not use this idiom for ordinary brave choices or well-planned decisions with many safe options. It is wrong if the situation is not desperate or if the action is not an all-or-nothing move.
不要把这个成语用在普通的勇敢决定或有很多稳妥选择的周密安排上。如果情况并不危急，或者行动不是把一切都押上的做法，用这个成语就不对。
More examples and usage guide