厉兵秣马
厉兵秣马 (lì bīng mò mǎ) literally means “sharpen weapons and feed horses” and expresses “make thorough preparations; get ready for action”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: li bing mo ma, li bing mo ma,厉兵秣马 meaning, 厉兵秣马 in english
Make thorough preparations; get ready for action
Pronunciation: lì bīng mò mǎ
Literal meaning: Sharpen weapons and feed horses
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes sharpening (厉) weapons (兵) and feeding (秣) horses (马). It originated from ancient military preparations where armies would ensure weapons were sharp and horses well-fed before battle. The phrase appeared in Zuozhuan describing state preparations for warfare. Modern usage describes thorough preparation for any significant undertaking, emphasizing the importance of readiness before action.
Examples
English: "The team is preparing intensively for the upcoming competition."
Chinese: 球队正在厉兵秣马，为即将到来的比赛做准备。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 厉兵秣马 mean in English?
厉兵秣马 (lì bīng mò mǎ) literally translates to “Sharpen weapons and feed horses” and is used to express “Make thorough preparations; get ready for action”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 厉兵秣马 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving make thorough preparations; get ready for action.
What is the pinyin for 厉兵秣马?
The pinyin pronunciation for 厉兵秣马 is “lì bīng mò mǎ”.