1.
all is lost; it's all over; nothing more can be done
An expression meaning that the situation is hopeless and there are no remaining options. Used when defeat or failure is inevitable.
これで万事休すだ。
With this, all is lost.
鍵をなくして万事休すかと思った。
I lost my keys and thought it was all over.
最後の味方にも見捨てられ、まさに万事休すの状態だった。
Abandoned even by my last ally, I was truly in a hopeless situation.
FORMATION:
万事 (all things, everything) + 休す (to cease, to stop). Literally "everything comes to a halt." From classical Chinese.
USAGE:
A dramatic, literary expression used to describe a situation where no options remain. Common in narratives, news headlines, and sports commentary. Often preceded by これで or もう to emphasize finality.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- お手上げ (to throw up one's hands; to give up)
- 絶体絶命 (desperate situation, no escape)