悬崖勒马
悬崖勒马 (xuán yá lè mǎ) literally means “pull horse at cliff edge” and expresses “stop before too late”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: xuan ya le ma, xuan ya le ma,悬崖勒马 meaning, 悬崖勒马 in english
Stop before too late
Pronunciation: xuán yá lè mǎ Literal meaning: Pull horse at cliff edge
Origin & Usage
This vivid idiom describes pulling (勒) a horse's reins at the edge of a cliff (悬崖), drawing from actual incidents along the treacherous mountain paths of ancient China. Military chronicles from the Warring States period detail how skilled horsemen would train their steeds to stop abruptly at dangerous precipices. The phrase gained wider use during the Ming Dynasty as a metaphor for last-minute course correction. In contemporary usage, it describes the crucial moment of recognizing and averting danger, whether in business decisions, personal relationships, or moral choices. It emphasizes both the importance of vigilance and the possibility of redemption even at the final moment.
Examples
English: "The company halted the risky project just before major losses occurred"
Chinese: 公司在发生重大损失之前及时叫停了高风险项目
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 悬崖勒马 mean in English?
悬崖勒马 (xuán yá lè mǎ) literally translates to “Pull horse at cliff edge” and is used to express “Stop before too late”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 悬崖勒马 used?
Situation: The company halted the risky project just before major losses occurred
What is the pinyin for 悬崖勒马?
The pinyin pronunciation for 悬崖勒马 is “xuán yá lè mǎ”.
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