快马加鞭
快马加鞭 (kuài mǎ jiā biān) literally means “spur the horse to full speed” and expresses “accelerate progress”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: kuai ma jia bian, kuai ma jia bian,快马加鞭 meaning, 快马加鞭 in english
Accelerate progress
Pronunciation: kuài mǎ jiā biān Literal meaning: Spur the horse to full speed
Origin & Usage
Whip (加鞭) applied to a horse (马) that is already fast (快). Song poets used it, and the sense has never shifted: not starting to hurry but hurrying something already at speed. That is what distinguishes it from ordinary haste, and it carries a mild suggestion of strain, since the horse in the image has nothing held back. It suits deadlines that have moved, projects being accelerated after a good start, and it is very common in official language about construction and reform.
Examples
English: "With his new strategy, the team is pushing forward even faster."
Chinese: 有了新策略，团队快马加鞭，向前推进。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
鞭辟入里
biān pì rù lǐ
Penetrating deeply to the essence
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文不加点
wén bù jiā diǎn
Perfect execution without revision
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含辛茹苦
hán xīn rú kǔ
Persevere through adversity
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全力以赴
quán lì yǐ fù
Total commitment
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忍辱负重
rěn rǔ fù zhòng
Bear disgrace to discharge a duty
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不辞辛劳
bù cí xīn láo
Tireless dedication
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心直口快
xīn zhí kǒu kuài
Frank and outspoken
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大快人心
dà kuài rén xīn
Satisfaction at a wrong being punished
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 快马加鞭 mean in English?
快马加鞭 (kuài mǎ jiā biān) literally translates to “Spur the horse to full speed” and is used to express “Accelerate progress”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 快马加鞭 used?
Situation: With his new strategy, the team is pushing forward even faster.
What is the pinyin for 快马加鞭?
The pinyin pronunciation for 快马加鞭 is “kuài mǎ jiā biān”.