虚惊一场(虛驚一場)
虚惊一场 (xū jīng yī chǎng) literally means “empty fright for nothing”and expresses “false alarm; scare for nothing”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: xu jing yi chang, xu jing yi chang,虚惊一场 meaning, 虚惊一场 in english
Pronunciation: xū jīng yī chǎng Literal meaning: Empty fright for nothing
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes a false (虚) alarm or scare (惊) that amounts to nothing (一场). The character 场 suggests a theatrical event - the drama that turns out to have no substance. The phrase captures the relief mixed with embarrassment of unnecessary fear. It appeared in Ming Dynasty literature describing dramatic situations resolved harmlessly. Modern usage describes any situation where fear or worry proves unfounded, from medical scares to suspected dangers that turn out to be benign.
When to Use
Situation: The suspicious package turned out to be harmless - just a false alarm.
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 虚惊一场 mean in English?
虚惊一场 (xū jīng yī chǎng) literally translates to “Empty fright for nothing”and is used to express “False alarm; scare for nothing”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theLife Philosophy category..
When is 虚惊一场 used?
Situation: The suspicious package turned out to be harmless - just a false alarm.
What is the pinyin for 虚惊一场?
The pinyin pronunciation for 虚惊一场 is “xū jīng yī chǎng”.