损兵折将sǔn bīng zhé jiàngsuffer heavy casua lties; sustain heavy losses
❍ 徐盛、丁奉曰： “蜀兵势大，难以破之，空自～耳。” (《三国演义》719) “The enemy is very strong and will not be easily overcome.” said Xu and Ding. “We have now suffered a great loss for no purpose.”/阎锡山～和红军连战皆捷的消息，象雪片一样传遍绥远各地。(杨植霖《王若飞在狱中》107) It became common konwledge throughout Suiyuan Province that Yan Xishan’s troops had suffered heavy casualties while the Red Army had scored one victory after another.
❍ 西南为贺人龙把守，兵力较弱；东南为左光先把守，今日～很多。(姚雪垠《李自成》Ⅰ—230) He Renlong’s force to the south west is weaker,and Zuo Guangxian to the southeast has sustained heavy losses today. 损兵折将sǔn bīnɡ zhé jiànɡ损、折：损失。指士兵和将领都有损失。形容作战惨败。lose one’s generals and soldiers, suffer heavy casualties |