众矢之的
众矢之的 (zhòng shǐ zhī dì) literally means “target of many arrows” and expresses “target of public criticism”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: zhong shi zhi di, zhong shi zhi di,众矢之的 meaning, 众矢之的 in english
Target of public criticism
Pronunciation: zhòng shǐ zhī dì
Literal meaning: Target of many arrows
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes being the target (的) of many (众) arrows (矢). It depicts someone who attracts criticism or attack from multiple directions simultaneously. The phrase appeared in texts describing those who became focal points of collective hostility. It captures the vulnerability of being singled out for group attack. Modern usage describes anyone who becomes the focus of widespread criticism, blame, or opposition from multiple sources.
Examples
English: "As the whistleblower, she became the target of everyone's criticism."
Chinese: 作为举报人，她成了众矢之的。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 众矢之的 mean in English?
众矢之的 (zhòng shǐ zhī dì) literally translates to “Target of many arrows” and is used to express “Target of public criticism”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 众矢之的 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving target of public criticism.
What is the pinyin for 众矢之的?
The pinyin pronunciation for 众矢之的 is “zhòng shǐ zhī dì”.