摆烂

What does 摆烂 mean?

摆烂 means you know a situation is bad and, instead of fixing it, you stop trying and let it get worse — a mix of resignation and self-mockery. Compared with 躺平, which is a calm choice of lifestyle, 摆烂 is more about a specific failing task: an exam you didn't study for, a project already behind schedule, a messy room.

Where does 摆烂 come from?

The phrase is linked to "tanking" in the NBA, where teams deliberately lose to get better draft picks. It became a mainstream internet word around 2022.

How to use 摆烂

• 明天考试，我已经开始摆烂了。
  Míngtiān kǎoshì, wǒ yǐjīng kāishǐ bǎi làn le.
  The exam is tomorrow and I've already given up.
• 房间乱就乱吧，摆烂了。
  Fángjiān luàn jiù luàn ba, bǎi làn le.
  Whatever, the room can stay messy. I've given up.