rack one's brains to ...; exhaust every power of one's mind; leave no means untried; one's schemes were frustrated.; rack one's brains in scheming; use all sorts of intrigues and wiles
机关算尽一朝覆亡: they were tricky enough but they collapsed after all
机关算尽太聪明反误了卿卿性命: all your clever calculations and intrigues have brought you nothing but your doom
Example Sentences:
1.
The fox knew too much , that ' s how he lost his tail 机关算尽太聪明，反误了卿卿性命。
2.
Mr . blake tried everything in vain to coax the useful information about their sales plan from his opponent ’ s secretary 布雷克先生机关算尽也没能从对手的书那里套出有关他们销售计划的有用情况。
3.
Elsewhere , a young gangster who has been seeking his way to earn fame determines to be the killer with the assistance of his buddy . but when everyone gets set to act , things come up out of anticipation . . 任务开始之际，便是四人命运相连之时，然而各人机关算尽，一切却在意料之外，黑帮大哥与无名小卒原来只有一线之差
