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水泡に帰す (すいほうにきす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-su)
come to nothing ; end in failure ; be in vain
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning that efforts or plans have resulted in nothing, like bubbles vanishing. Often used when hard work or expectations are wasted.
彼かれ の 計けい 画かく は 水すい 泡ほう に 帰き し て しまっ た 。
His plan ended in failure.
Kanji 帰 homecoming, arrive at, lead to Similar words 水みず の 泡あわ Literally 'bubbles on water', used in the phrase 水の泡になる (to come to nothing). 水泡に帰す is a more formal, literary variant.
無む 駄だ になる A common, everyday expression meaning 'to be wasted' or 'to be in vain'. 水泡に帰す is more emphatic and literary.
Etymology From the image of bubbles (水泡) vanishing without a trace, combined with 帰す (to return, to end up). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is a set idiomatic expression.
