downfall
n[sing]
1 fall from a position of prosperity or power 衰落; 败落; 垮台
Greed led to his downfall. 他贪得无厌而导致身败名裂.
2 thing that causes this 衰落、 败落、 垮台等的原因
His vanity was his downfall. 他因虚荣心太重而垮台.
and these will ply the short wings with such irresistible power that they can bore for long distances through an opposing gale before exhaustion follows.