绳锯木断

Pronunciation: shéng jù mù duàn Literal meaning: Rope saws wood apart

Origin & Usage

The idiom 绳锯木断 (shéng jù mù duàn) is derived from a story during the Song Dynasty involving a county magistrate named Zhang Guaiya. In a time when theft was rampant in Chongyang County, Zhang sought to curb this trend. He caught a treasury officer stealing a single copper coin and, despite the small amount, sentenced him to death. Zhang's reasoning was that small acts of theft, if unchecked, could lead to larger crimes. The idiom itself, however, focuses on the idea that even a rope (绳, shéng) used as a saw (锯, jù) can cut through wood (木, mù) if applied persistently. In modern usage, it emphasizes the power of perseverance, suggesting that consistent effort can overcome significant obstacles.

Examples

English: "With consistent effort, he managed to achieve his goals, just like a rope saw gradually cuts through wood."

Chinese: 他绳锯木断，经过不懈努力终于实现了目标。