后顾之忧
后顾之忧 (hòu gù zhī yōu) literally means “backward glance's worry” and expresses “worry about the home front left behind”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: hou gu zhi you, hou gu zhi you,后顾之忧 meaning, 后顾之忧 in english
Worry about the home front left behind
Pronunciation: hòu gù zhī yōu Literal meaning: Backward glance's worry
Origin & Usage
The worry (忧) that comes from looking back (后顾). The image is military and precise: a commander who must keep glancing behind at an unsecured rear cannot commit to what is in front of him, so the phrase names a specific tax on effectiveness rather than anxiety in general. It is most often used in the negative — 没有后顾之忧, free of anything behind you — and it is what pensions, childcare and guarantees are said to provide.
Examples
English: "The general secured supply lines to prevent vulnerability during the advance"
Chinese: 将军确保补给线,以防进军过程中出现脆弱性
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
高枕无忧
gāo zhěn wú yōu
Completely free from worry or concern
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争先恐后
zhēng xiān kǒng hòu
Rush eagerly to be first, not last
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临危不惧
lín wēi bù jù
Courage under pressure
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杞人忧天
qǐ rén yōu tiān
Worry needlessly about impossible disasters
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草木皆兵
cǎo mù jiē bīng
Extreme paranoia sees threats everywhere
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风声鹤唳
fēng shēng hè lì
Overly fearful and suspicious
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杯弓蛇影
bēi gōng shé yǐng
Needlessly suspicious
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提心吊胆
tí xīn diào dǎn
Constant dread; unable to stop worrying
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 后顾之忧 mean in English?
后顾之忧 (hòu gù zhī yōu) literally translates to “Backward glance's worry” and is used to express “Worry about the home front left behind”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 后顾之忧 used?
Situation: The general secured supply lines to prevent vulnerability during the advance
What is the pinyin for 后顾之忧?
The pinyin pronunciation for 后顾之忧 is “hòu gù zhī yōu”.
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