To recall a painful experience after it is over, in order to learn from it and prevent its recurrence.
指悲痛的心情平静以后，再追想当时所受的痛苦。超有警惕未来之意。
唐·韩愈《与李翱书》今而思之，如痛定之人，思当痛之时，不知何能自处也。”
After the project failed, the team sat down to analyze their mistakes, truly understanding the importance of "痛定思痛."
Learn the next connected idiom: 痛定思痛 (tòng dìng sī tòng) → 痛哭流涕 (tòng kū liú tì)
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