披荆斩棘

Pronunciation: pī jīng zhǎn jí Literal meaning: Cut thorns break brambles

Origin & Usage

This vivid idiom describes cutting through (披) thorny shrubs (荆) and hacking (斩) through brambles (棘), originating from historical accounts of early settlers clearing wilderness for cultivation. During the Han Dynasty, it became associated with the founding of new territories and opportunities. The specific mention of two types of thorny plants emphasizes the varying nature of obstacles one might face. Modern usage applies to pioneering efforts in any field, particularly situations requiring both sustained effort and strategic problem-solving.

Examples

English: "She built her company from scratch, overcoming countless challenges"

Chinese: 她白手起家创建公司，克服了无数挑战