后顾之忧
后顾之忧 (hòu gù zhī yōu) literally means “backward glance's worry” and expresses “concerns about hidden vulnerabilities”. 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
Concerns about hidden vulnerabilities
Pronunciation: hòu gù zhī yōu Literal meaning: Backward glance's worry
Origin & Usage
Ancient military strategists coined this phrase about worries (忧) from looking back (后顾), emphasizing how unaddressed vulnerabilities can paralyze forward progress. Han Dynasty political writers expanded it beyond warfare to describe any situation where background concerns prevent bold action. The psychological insight remains relevant - true confidence requires securing one's rear position.
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
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胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
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釜底抽薪
fǔ dǐ chōu xīn
Eliminate root cause of problem
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推波助澜
tuī bō zhù lán
Amplifying existing trends or momentum
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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 “Concerns about hidden vulnerabilities”. 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”.