📖 Meaning
To eliminate chaos and restore normal order. It is a variant of the more common idiom 拨乱反正 (bō luàn fǎn zhèng). The phrase describes the act of correcting a disorderly situation and bringing back stability and proper governance.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Yuan dynasty play 'Chen Tuan Lies Down' (陈抟高卧) by Ma Zhiyuan (马致远), where the Daoist sage Chen Tuan observes the chaos of the Five Dynasties period and expresses his aspiration to dispel disorder and restore governance. The Five Dynasties were a time of extreme turmoil and suffering. Chen Tuan, though a recluse, harbored this ambition despite his withdrawal from worldly affairs. The expression later appeared in Qing dynasty scholarly works such as He Zhuo's 'Yimen Dushu Ji' discussing governance and political restoration.
💡 Example Usage
新君即位后励精图治，立志拨乱反治，使天下重归太平。
After ascending the throne, the new ruler strove diligently to dispel chaos and restore order, bringing the realm back to peace.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 拨乱反治
- Pinyin: bō luàn fǎn zhì
- Literal Translation: dispel chaos, return to order
- Category: Recovery
- Characters: 4