📖 Meaning
Describes a person who is explosively angry and short-tempered, raging with the sudden force and intensity of a thunderclap. The idiom paints a vivid picture of someone who loses all composure and erupts in furious outbursts.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Han dynasty long narrative poem '古诗为焦仲卿妻作' (also known as '孔雀东南飞', The Peacock Flies Southeast), one of the most celebrated works of classical Chinese literature. In the poem, the female protagonist laments her oppressive family situation, saying: 'I have an elder brother, whose temper is violent like thunder.' This line crystallized the association between uncontrollable rage and the sudden, terrifying power of a thunderstorm. Over centuries, the phrase evolved into the four-character idiom '暴躁如雷', and it was later used by Qing dynasty novelist Wu Jingzi in '儒林外史' (The Scholars), where the character Yan Gongsheng is described as growing increasingly furious and thunderously enraged.
💡 Example Usage
他听到这个消息后暴躁如雷，把桌上的茶杯全摔了。
Upon hearing the news, he flew into a thunderous rage and smashed every teacup on the table.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 暴躁如雷
- Pinyin: bào zào rú léi
- Literal Translation: violent, irritable, like, thunder
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4