功亏一篑 gōngkuīyīkuì to fall short at the last minute Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 功 gōng verbnoun achievement achievement; result; success; a positive outcome from effort亏 虧 kuī to lack to be deficient; to be short of; to lack一 yī numeral one one; the number 1; single; alone篑 簣 kuì bamboo basket (bound form) a bamboo basket for carrying soil