火中取栗
火中取栗 (huǒ zhōng qǔ lì) literally means “take chestnuts from fire” and expresses “used by others”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: huo zhong qu li, huo zhong qu li,火中取栗 meaning, 火中取栗 in english
Used by others
Pronunciation: huǒ zhōng qǔ lì Literal meaning: Take chestnuts from fire
Origin & Usage
This one is not Chinese in origin. It comes from La Fontaine's fable of the monkey who flatters the cat into pulling (取) roasting chestnuts (栗) out of the fire (火中), eating each one as it arrives while the cat burns its paw for nothing. The story entered Chinese through translation and settled into four characters. The phrase always describes the cat, not the monkey: it is used of someone taking the risk and the injury in an operation whose benefit goes to somebody else.
Examples
English: "He always finds a way to benefit while others do the hard work."
Chinese: 他总是能在别人辛苦时捞到好处。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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汗牛充栋
hàn niú chōng dòng
So many books they cannot be housed
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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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心猿意马
xīn yuán yì mǎ
Restless, unfocused mind
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 火中取栗 mean in English?
火中取栗 (huǒ zhōng qǔ lì) literally translates to “Take chestnuts from fire” and is used to express “Used by others”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 火中取栗 used?
Situation: He always finds a way to benefit while others do the hard work.
What is the pinyin for 火中取栗?
The pinyin pronunciation for 火中取栗 is “huǒ zhōng qǔ lì”.