fèi废abandonqǐn寝sleepwàng忘forgetshí食food
To forget to eat and sleep; to be completely engrossed in one's work.
Literal meaning
abandon (废) — sleep (寝) — forget (忘) — food (食)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing someone who is so absorbed in their work or studies that they neglect their basic needs.
Examples
tā他wèi为le了wán完chéng成zhè这ge个xiàng项mù目，fèi废qǐn寝wàng忘shí食de地gōng工zuò作。
He worked day and night to complete this project.
wèi为le了zhǔn准bèi备kǎo考shì试，tā他fèi废qǐn寝wàng忘shí食de地xué学xí习。
He studied day and night to prepare for the exam.
Usage & nuances
Implies dedication and hard work, but can also suggest neglecting one's health.
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