不寒而栗

Pronunciation: bù hán ér lì Literal meaning: Shiver without cold

Origin & Usage

The idiom 不寒而栗 (bù hán ér lì) originates from the historical text 《史记》 (Shǐjì), written by the historian 司马迁 (Sīmǎ Qiān) during the Western Han dynasty. It tells the story of 义纵 (Yì Zòng), a strict and unyielding official appointed by Emperor Han Wudi. Known for his harsh enforcement of law, Yì Zòng once executed over four hundred people in a single day, instilling fear in the local populace. Despite the warm weather, people were so terrified that they shivered as if it were cold. The idiom breaks down into 不 (not), 寒 (cold), 而 (and), 栗 (shiver), illustrating the concept of shivering from fear rather than cold. In modern usage, it describes situations or news that cause fear or anxiety, making people shiver despite the absence of cold.

Examples

English: "The eerie silence of the abandoned house made everyone feel a chill of fear."

Chinese: 废弃房屋的诡异寂静让每个人都感到一阵恐惧的寒意。