📖 Meaning
To silently harbor resentment and frustration after being wronged or offended. It describes someone who bottles up their anger inwardly rather than expressing it outwardly, often suffering in quiet distress.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Ming Dynasty vernacular novel 'Jin Ping Mei Cihua' (《金瓶梅词话》) by Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng (兰陵笑笑生), specifically Chapter 62. The original passage describes a character who, after being wronged, internalized the anger and vexation rather than venting it, noting that 'even a person of iron and stone could not bear such hidden resentment.' The phrase thus became a vivid expression for silently endured grievance.
💡 Example Usage
受了婆婆一顿数落，她只好暗气暗恼地回到自己房里。
After being scolded by her mother-in-law, she returned to her room nursing her silent resentment.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 暗气暗恼
- Pinyin: àn qì àn nǎo
- Literal Translation: hidden anger, hidden vexation
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4