两肋插刀

Pronunciation: liǎng lèi chā dāo Literal meaning: Knives inserted into ribs

Origin & Usage

The phrase belongs to the world of Sui and Tang storytelling, and attaches above all to Qin Shubao, the sworn-brotherhood hero who takes the risk himself so that his friends are not taken. Knives (刀) driven into (插) both ribs (两肋) is the image, and it is deliberately physical — the register is martial fiction and street loyalty rather than anything classical. That register still governs it. The tone is warm and slightly theatrical, most often in the promise 为朋友两肋插刀, and hearing it in a business meeting would be as odd as swearing a blood oath over a contract.

Examples

English: "He showed his loyalty by standing by his friend even in difficult times."

Chinese: 在困难时刻，他两肋插刀，支持了他的朋友。