刎颈之交

Pronunciation: wěn jǐng zhī jiāo Literal meaning: Friendship of severed necks

Origin & Usage

This idiom describes a friendship (交) of severed necks (刎颈). It comes from the story of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru who reconciled their enmity and became friends willing to die for each other. The phrase represents the highest level of loyal friendship. Modern usage describes friends so devoted they would sacrifice everything for each other, the ultimate bond of loyalty.

Examples

English: "They pledged loyalty to each other through thick and thin."

Chinese: 他们是刎颈之交，发誓同甘共苦。