迫在眉睫
迫在眉睫 (pò zài méi jié) literally means “urgent as brow and lash” and expresses “extremely urgent”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Extremely urgent
Pronunciation: pò zài méi jié
Literal meaning: Urgent as brow and lash
Origin & Usage
This visceral idiom describes urgency so pressing (迫) it's between (在) the eyebrows (眉) and eyelashes (睫). Its earliest recorded use comes from Tang Dynasty military dispatches, where commanders needed to convey the immediate nature of threats. The anatomical metaphor was chosen deliberately - the space between brow and lash is minimal, suggesting no room for delay. The phrase gained wider use during the Song Dynasty as commerce accelerated and time-sensitive decisions became more common. Modern usage spans from business deadlines to environmental crises, capturing situations where the pressure of time is almost physically felt.
Examples
English: "The deadline was so close that immediate action was necessary"
Chinese: 截止日期迫在眉睫，需要立即采取行动
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 迫在眉睫 mean in English?
迫在眉睫 (pò zài méi jié) literally translates to “Urgent as brow and lash” and is used to express “Extremely urgent”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 迫在眉睫 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving extremely urgent.
What is the pinyin for 迫在眉睫?
The pinyin pronunciation for 迫在眉睫 is “pò zài méi jié”.