出处:按学科分类—语言、文字 中国对外翻译出版公司《汉英成语词典》第24页(195字)
被水淹死,比喻毁灭性的灾难,例做人处事应留余地,以免日后招来灭顶之灾。
In life,one should allow for unforeseen happenings and protect oneself from being overwhelmed by calamitties.