披肝沥胆
披肝沥胆 (pī gān lì dǎn) literally means “expose liver, drain gallbladder” and expresses “give one's all; be completely sincere”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: pi gan li dan, pi gan li dan,披肝沥胆 meaning, 披肝沥胆 in english
Give one's all; be completely sincere
Pronunciation: pī gān lì dǎn
Literal meaning: Expose liver, drain gallbladder
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes exposing (披) one's liver (肝) and draining (沥) one's gallbladder (胆). These organs represent sincerity and courage in Chinese culture. The phrase depicts holding nothing back, giving everything. Modern usage describes complete dedication and openness, offering one's full effort and being completely honest, hiding nothing in pursuit of a goal.
Examples
English: "He dedicated himself completely to the cause."
Chinese: 他披肝沥胆，全身心投入这项事业。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 披肝沥胆 mean in English?
披肝沥胆 (pī gān lì dǎn) literally translates to “Expose liver, drain gallbladder” and is used to express “Give one's all; be completely sincere”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 披肝沥胆 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving give one's all; be completely sincere.
What is the pinyin for 披肝沥胆?
The pinyin pronunciation for 披肝沥胆 is “pī gān lì dǎn”.