12 Chinese Idioms With Fascinating Origin Stories

Commit with no retreat

Literal: Break pots sink boats

Originating from a famous historical event in 207 BCE, this idiom recounts how general Xiang Yu ordered his troops to break (破) their cooking pots (釜) and sink (沉) their boats (舟) before battling the Qin army. By eliminating the possibility of retreat, he created absolute commitment to victory. Duri...

Misfortune might be a blessing

Literal: Old man loses horse

This profound idiom originates from the story of a wise old man (塞翁) living near the northern border who lost his prized horse (失马). When neighbors came to console him, he asked, 'How do you know this isn't good fortune?' Indeed, the horse later returned with a magnificent wild horse. When neighbors...

Overestimate oneself

Literal: Small kingdom thinks itself great

This idiom references the ancient kingdom of Yelang (夜郎), whose ruler allegedly believed his small state rivaled the Han Empire in greatness (自大). The story first appeared in official Han histories, recording how a Yelang king asked a Han envoy if his kingdom was larger than Han - displaying remarka...

Add crucial finishing touch

Literal: Dot dragon's eyes

This vivid idiom comes from a story of the legendary painter Zhang Sengyou during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. After painting (画) four dragons (龙) on a temple wall, he deliberately left them without pupils. When questioned, he explained that dotting (点) the eyes (睛) would bring them t...

Borrow authority to intimidate

Literal: Fox uses tiger's power

This idiom emerged from a Warring States period fable where a fox (狐) borrowed (假) the authority (威) of a tiger (虎) to intimidate other animals. The story first appeared in the Zhan Guo Ce, using the clever fox and powerful tiger to criticize political parasites who derived their influence from powe...

Volunteer oneself confidently

Literal: Mao Sui recommends himself

Named after Mao Sui (毛遂), a lesser official from the Warring States period (475-221 BCE) who boldly recommended (荐) himself (自) for a crucial diplomatic mission. Despite his low rank, he demonstrated such eloquence and courage that he successfully secured an alliance for his state. The story reflect...

Run out of tricks

Literal: Donkey's tricks exhausted

This wry expression originates from a Tang Dynasty essay about a donkey (驴) in Guizhou (黔) province whose initial novelty made it seem special, until its limited tricks (技) were exhausted (穷). The story mocks superficial talents that quickly reveal their limitations. When first brought to the region...

Wait passively for luck

Literal: Guard tree wait rabbit

This Warring States period parable tells of a farmer who, after seeing a rabbit die by running into a tree stump (株), waited (待) endlessly for more rabbits (兔) at the same spot. His guard (守) of the stump became a classic example of misguided persistence and inflexible thinking. The story appeared i...

Return something perfect

Literal: Return jade to Zhao complete

This idiom stems from the Warring States period when Lin Xiangru, a diplomat of Zhao state, was tasked with protecting a precious jade disk (璧) that King Qin demanded to see. When the king refused to return the complete (完) jade to Zhao (赵), Lin cleverly threatened to destroy it, forcing its return....

Repeated lie becomes truth

Literal: Three people make tiger real

This idiom originates from the Wei state minister Pang Cong's warning to his king about how three (三) people's (人) repeated lies can make even an absurd claim - like a tiger (虎) loose in the marketplace - seem true (成). The story, recorded in Warring States texts, demonstrates how repeated rumors ca...

Never too late to fix

Literal: Fix pen after lost sheep

This practical wisdom originates from an ancient shepherd who, after losing (亡) sheep (羊), finally repaired (补) his pen (牢). The story, recorded in 'Guanzi', became a governance parable during the Warring States period. Officials used it to argue for preventive policies rather than reactive measures...

Professed love hiding actual fear

Literal: Lord Ye loves dragons

This ironic tale tells of Lord Ye (叶公) who professed to love (好) dragons (龙) but fled in terror when faced with a real one. During the Six Dynasties period, it became a standard criticism of superficial appreciation without genuine understanding. The dragon imagery carried particular weight in Chine...