起死回生(きしかいせい)

きしかいせい
noun, na-adjective
comeback from a hopeless situation
businessmedicalidiom
1. comeback from a hopeless situation; making a dramatic recovery
Turning around a desperate or seemingly hopeless situation into success; a miraculous turnaround.
起死回生(きしかいせい)の一打(いちだ)でチームは勝(か)った。
The team won with a game-saving hit.
起死回生(きしかいせい)の策(さく)を考(かんが)える。
To think of a plan for a dramatic turnaround.
この新製品(しんせいひん)が起死回生(きしかいせい)の切(き)り札(ふだ)だ。
This new product is our trump card for a turnaround.

Etymology

起死(きし) (bringing back the dead) + 回生(かいせい) (reviving life)
Literally: "raise the dead, bring back to life"
From ancient Chinese, originally describing miraculous medical skill that could save a dying patient.

Common collocations

  • 起死回生(きしかいせい)の一打(いちだ): game-saving hit
  • 起死回生(きしかいせい)の策(さく): comeback strategy
  • 起死回生(きしかいせい)を図(はか)る: to attempt a turnaround

Usage

  • Sports (comebacks)
  • Business (recovering from crisis)
  • General life situations (overcoming difficulties)

Related Words

Compare: 汚名挽回(おめいばんかい) (redeeming one's reputation)
general
Added 2026.1.16 18:38 · Revised 2026.10.4 4:16
05500/05694_kishikaisei