不了了之

bù liǎo liǎo zhī

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

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Definitions

1. to settle a matter by leaving it unsettled
2. to end up with nothing definite

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 善始善终 shàn shǐ shàn zhōng 善始善终 shàn shǐ shàn zhōng where there's a start, there's a finish (idiom); to finish once one starts sth to finish what one started: where there's a start, there's a finish (idiom); to finish once one starts sth

Synonyms

1 item

• 搁置 gē zhì 搁置 gē zhì to shelve to leave unresolved, put aside: to shelve

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Often used when a problem is ignored until it fades, not for actively dropping a task.

Example Sentences

1 shown

这件事可能 不了了之 。

This matter might end up unresolved.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 不了了之

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 之 之 zhī: (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de])
• 了 了 le: (completed action marker)
• 了 了 liǎo: (of eyes) bright
• 不了 不了 bù le: no thanks (used to politely but informally decline)
• 了了 了了 liǎo liǎo: to realize clearly