📖 Meaning
To devise an alternative and better plan or course of action. It is used to advise someone to reconsider a rash or dangerous decision and instead pursue a wiser, more prudent strategy. The idiom emphasizes pragmatic flexibility over stubborn persistence.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Chapter 81 of the Ming dynasty novel 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' (《三国演义》) by Luo Guanzhong. The official Qin Mi (秦宓) petitions Liu Bei, who is consumed by grief and bent on avenging Guan Yu's death by attacking the state of Wu. Qin Mi pleads with the emperor to reconsider his reckless military campaign, conserve the strength of his troops, and 'make other good plans' (别作良图) for the long-term welfare of the kingdom. The phrase later appears again in Chapter 45 of the Ming novel 'Investiture of the Gods' (《封神演义》) by Xu Zhonglin, reinforcing its use as a counsel to abandon a doomed course of action.
💡 Example Usage
事已至此，不如别作良图，另寻出路。
Since things have come to this, it is better to make other good plans and seek another way out.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 别作良图
- Pinyin: bié zuò liáng tú
- Literal Translation: separately, make, good, plan
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4