起死回生(きしかいせい)

きしかいせい
noun, na-adjective
comeback from a hopeless situation
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.

FOUR-CHARACTER IDIOM (四字熟語(よじじゅくご)):
起死(きし) (bringing back the dead) + 回生(かいせい) (reviving life)
Literally: "raise the dead, bring back to life"

ORIGIN:
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 CONTEXTS:

  • Sports (comebacks)
  • Business (recovering from crisis)
  • General life situations (overcoming difficulties)
general
Added 2026.1.16 18:38 · Revised 2026.6.16 3:53
05500/05694_kishikaisei