📖 Meaning
Literally meaning 'loving cranes and losing the people,' this idiom is a metaphor for losing the greater good by indulging in trivial personal obsessions. It describes a situation where a leader's misplaced priorities cause them to alienate their followers or forfeit what truly matters.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Zuo Zhuan (Chronicle of Zuo), specifically the second year of Duke Min of Lu. Duke Yi of Wei was so enamored with cranes that some cranes were given official titles and rode in carriages. When the Di people invaded, the soldiers refused to fight, saying that the cranes—who held ranks and salaries—should go to battle instead. The state of Wei was ultimately destroyed, illustrating the consequences of misplaced priorities.
💡 Example Usage
他整日沉迷于收藏古玩，荒废了正业，真是爱鹤失众。
He spends all day collecting antiques while neglecting his real work—truly a case of loving cranes and losing the people.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 爱鹤失众
- Pinyin: ài hè shī zhòng
- Literal Translation: love, crane, lose, masses
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4