📖 Meaning
It describes a place crowded with a great number of people, so densely packed that shoulders touch and heels overlap one another. The idiom conveys a vivid image of a throng or gathering overflowing with attendees.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in the Qing Dynasty work 《郎潜纪闻》, written by Chen Kangqi (陈康祺), in its first volume. The original line describes how old elites of the Liao-Shen region and former Ming dynasty survivors stood shoulder to shoulder, jointly handling imperial edicts. The imagery emphasizes the sheer density of accomplished figures gathered together at one time.
💡 Example Usage
节假日西湖边游人比肩叠踵，热闹非凡。
During the holiday, visitors at West Lake were packed shoulder to shoulder with heels overlapping, creating an extraordinarily lively scene.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 比肩叠踵
- Pinyin: bǐ jiān dié zhǒng
- Literal Translation: shoulders alongside, heels stacked
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4