📖 Meaning
Even with a hundred mouths, one would find it difficult to explain or defend oneself. It describes a situation where someone is falsely accused or misunderstood and has no way to clear their name regardless of how hard they try to argue.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Qing dynasty novel 'Huayue Hen' (花月痕) by Wei Xiuren. In the third chapter, the protagonist laments being labeled 'fickle' (薄幸), exclaiming that even with a hundred mouths he could not argue his way out of the accusation. The phrase conveys the helplessness of being unable to vindicate oneself when faced with overwhelming misunderstanding or false charges.
💡 Example Usage
面对众人的指责，他百口难分，只能默默承受委屈。
Facing everyone's accusations, he was unable to defend himself and could only silently bear the injustice.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 百口难分
- Pinyin: bǎi kǒu nán fēn
- Literal Translation: hundred, mouth, difficult, distinguish
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4