功亏一篑

功亏一篑 [gōng kuī yí kuì]

1. ■ （比喻一件大事只差最后一点人力物力而不能成功） lack a basketful -- work not completed; abandon work that has been seriously undertaken; be just one step short of success [completion]; between the cup and the lip; fail to succeed for lack of a final effort; fall short of completion by one basket of earth; fail on the eve of complete success; fail to build a mound for want of the last basket of earth; fail to make the final effort [finishing touch]; just fall short of final completion; fall short of success at the last stage:

为什么你不继续编纂你的词典呢?功亏一篑， 你不觉得可惜吗? Why do you discontinue compiling your dictionary? Don't you think it a pity to give it up when it is nearly completed?