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To have all one's hard work and efforts come to nothing, often due to unexpected circumstances or poor planning.
그들은 몇 년 동안 연구를 했지만, 경쟁사에서 먼저 상품을 출시해 공든 탑이 무너졌다.
They had been researching for years, but a competitor released the product first, and all their efforts went to waste.
공부한 내용을 시험에서 다 잊어버려 공든 탑이 무너진 것 같았다.
I forgot everything I studied during the exam, and it felt like all my efforts had been in vain.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of perseverance and careful planning to avoid wasted effort.
This proverb is commonly used when describing a situation where hard work leads to no results due to unforeseen circumstances.
Use this proverb sparingly, as it can sound overly dramatic if used too frequently.
The phrase originates from the idea of a tower (탑) that collapses after much effort (공들이다) has been put into building it, symbolizing wasted effort.
This proverb is often used to express disappointment or frustration when something fails after significant effort. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts.