gōng​kuī​yī​kuì

to fall short at the last minute

Senses

功亏一篑/ 功虧一簣 gōng​kuī​yī​kuì (also gōng​kuī​yí​kuì) to fall short at the last minute

to fail to complete a project due to the lack of a final effort; to fall short of success when one is just one step away from finishing. Originally referring to failing to complete a mountain for lack of one final basket of earth.

References

synonym 功亏一篑/功虧一簣 功败垂成/功敗垂成
synonym 败于垂成/敗於垂成 功亏一篑/功虧一簣
synonym 事败垂成/事敗垂成 功亏一篑/功虧一簣