rise and fall; vicissitudes of life
Archaic four-character compound meaning the alternating cycles of prosperity and decline. Rare in modern Japanese; mostly encountered in classical texts or literary contexts.
一栄一落 is an old expression for the ups and downs of life.
Another yojijukugo emphasizing that those who prosper must eventually decline; more widely recognized.
A yojijukugo composed of 一 (one, once) + 栄 (prosper) + 一 (one, once) + 落 (fall). The exact origin is uncertain, but it follows a classical Chinese pattern of paired contrasts.