釜底抽薪
釜底抽薪 (fǔ dǐ chōu xīn) literally means “remove firewood under pot” and expresses “eliminate root cause of problem”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: fu di chou xin, fu di chou xin,釜底抽薪 meaning, 釜底抽薪 in english
Eliminate root cause of problem
Pronunciation: fǔ dǐ chōu xīn Literal meaning: Remove firewood under pot
Origin & Usage
To draw out (抽) the firewood (薪) from under (底) the cauldron (釜). The nineteenth of the Thirty-Six Stratagems states the logic: you cannot meet the boiling water, so remove the fire instead. The distinction it draws is between the symptom and its supply, and the phrase always implies that direct engagement was available and was rejected as the worse option. Cutting off funding, personnel or legitimacy rather than confronting what they produce.
Examples
English: "The new policy addressed the root causes rather than just treating symptoms"
Chinese: 新政策解决了根本原因，而不仅仅是治标不治本
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
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鹬蚌相争
yù bàng xiāng zhēng
Mutual conflict benefits third party
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针锋相对
zhēn fēng xiāng duì
Sharp, direct confrontation in argument
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破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
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枕戈待旦
zhěn gē dài dàn
Maintain high vigilance awaiting challenge
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按图索骥
àn tú suǒ jì
Rigidly following outdated methods
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身先士卒
shēn xiān shì zú
Leadership by action
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 釜底抽薪 mean in English?
釜底抽薪 (fǔ dǐ chōu xīn) literally translates to “Remove firewood under pot” and is used to express “Eliminate root cause of problem”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 釜底抽薪 used?
Situation: The new policy addressed the root causes rather than just treating symptoms
What is the pinyin for 釜底抽薪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 釜底抽薪 is “fǔ dǐ chōu xīn”.
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