signs of defeat; adverse situation
Refers to a situation where defeat seems imminent or the tide has turned against one. Often used in competitive or conflict contexts.
In the second half, the team desperately tried to recover from the adverse situation.
When signs of defeat became clear, the coach substituted players.
Compound of 敗 (hai, 'defeat') and 勢 (sei, 'force, momentum, situation'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows standard Sino-Japanese compounding patterns.