刮目相看

Pronunciation: guā mù xiāng kàn
Literal meaning: Scrape eyes look anew

Origin & Usage

This perceptive idiom suggests scraping (刮) one's eyes (目) to view (看) someone differently (相), originating from a Three Kingdoms period interaction between strategists. Historical records recount how Lu Meng significantly improved his knowledge, prompting Sun Quan to remark that one would need to 'scrape one's eyes' to see him anew. The vivid image suggested clearing away previous perceptions like removing a film from the eyes. During the Tang Dynasty, it became a standard reference for recognizing someone's dramatically improved abilities. Unlike terms for simple reassessment, it specifically describes positive reappraisal following significant development. Modern usage encourages recognizing others' growth and improvement rather than maintaining outdated assessments, particularly regarding individuals previously underestimated.

Examples

English: "After her breakthrough performance, critics had to reassess her artistic abilities"

Chinese: 在她的突破性表演之后，评论家们不得不重新评估她的艺术才能

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