duàn xiàn
(of a guitar, kite etc) to have a string break
(of a tradition etc) to be discontinued
(telephone or Internet connection) disconnected
cut off
duàn xiàn fēng zhēng
a kite with cut string (idiom); fig. gone beyond recall
cháng liú shuǐ , bù duàn xiàn
continuous and patient effort (idiom)