力挽狂澜
力挽狂澜 (lì wǎn kuáng lán) literally means “pull back raging tides” and expresses “heroically reversing catastrophic situation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: li wan kuang lan, li wan kuang lan,力挽狂澜 meaning, 力挽狂澜 in english
Heroically reversing catastrophic situation
Pronunciation: lì wǎn kuáng lán Literal meaning: Pull back raging tides
Origin & Usage
Born from Song Dynasty accounts of flood control efforts, this idiom describes using strength (力) to pull back (挽) wild (狂) tidal waves (澜). It first honored officials who prevented natural disasters through extraordinary measures. During the Ming Dynasty, historical chronicles applied it to administrators who prevented political or economic collapse through decisive action. The water imagery powerfully conveyed both the destructive potential of unchecked forces and the possibility of human intervention. Modern usage celebrates successful crisis management - from corporate turnarounds to environmental rescue efforts.
Examples
English: "The new CEO worked tirelessly to save the company from imminent bankruptcy"
Chinese: 新任CEO不知疲倦地工作，使公司免于即将到来的破产危机
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 力挽狂澜 mean in English?
力挽狂澜 (lì wǎn kuáng lán) literally translates to “Pull back raging tides” and is used to express “Heroically reversing catastrophic situation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 力挽狂澜 used?
Situation: The new CEO worked tirelessly to save the company from imminent bankruptcy
What is the pinyin for 力挽狂澜?
The pinyin pronunciation for 力挽狂澜 is “lì wǎn kuáng lán”.
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