📖 Meaning
To remedy defects and fill in gaps or omissions. The idiom describes the process of identifying and correcting shortcomings, flaws, or missing elements in a work, plan, or undertaking to bring it closer to completion or perfection.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from a colophon (跋) written by Qing dynasty scholar Zhao Ximing (赵曦明). In it, he expressed that for the task of supplementing gaps and addressing omissions to make a work truly complete, one cannot but rely on the generous assistance of others. The phrase captures the humble acknowledgment that no single person can catch every flaw, and collaborative effort is needed to achieve perfection.
💡 Example Usage
编辑团队正在补阙挂漏，力求书稿尽善尽美。
The editorial team is filling gaps and fixing omissions, striving to make the manuscript as flawless as possible.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 补阙挂漏
- Pinyin: bǔ quē guà lòu
- Literal Translation: mend, gap, concern, omission
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4