📖 Meaning
A satirical expression for a military campaign launched to exact revenge that ends in humiliating defeat. It mocks the futility of an expedition that, instead of settling old scores, only adds fresh disgrace to the original grievance.
📜 Origin Story
During the Spring and Autumn period, after the Battle of Yao between the states of Qin and Jin, the Qin general Mengming Shi was captured by Jin forces. Upon his release, he told Duke Xiang of Jin that in three years he would return to 'thank him for his kindness' — a thinly veiled threat of revenge. Three years later, Qin indeed attacked Jin to avenge the earlier defeat, but was routed once again. The Jin people mockingly dubbed this second failed expedition '拜赐之师' — the army that comes to return thanks.
💡 Example Usage
他扬言要报复对手，结果却成了拜赐之师，沦为笑柄。
He vowed to take revenge on his rival, only to end up as a failed avenger and become a laughingstock.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 拜赐之师
- Pinyin: bài cì zhī shī
- Literal Translation: bow, bestow, of, army
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4