九仞の功を一簣に虧く
きゅうじんのこうをいっきにかく
Meanings
- Expression, Godan verb to fail one step short of great success; to fall at the last hurdle
Kanji
- 九 nine. Read as キュウ.
- 仞 fathom. Read as ジン.
- 功 merit. Read as コウ.
- 一 one. Read as イチ.
- 簣 earth-carrying basket
- 虧 wane (moon)