📖 Meaning
Something so trivial, obvious, or taken for granted that it is not even worth mentioning. It is often used to wave aside a matter as easily handled or naturally to be expected.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces to Yuan dynasty drama, notably Qin Jianfu's play 《赵礼让肥》 (Zhao Li Yields the Fat), where the closing passage describes each character being promoted and rewarded in proper order, adding that these matters need not be dwelt upon. It reflects a storytelling convention of dismissing routine outcomes as unworthy of elaboration. Later writers such as Lu Xun used it to treat something as a mere puppet show, entirely beneath serious discussion.
💡 Example Usage
这点小活儿对他来说简直不在话下。
A small task like this is a piece of cake for him.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 不在话下
- Pinyin: bù zài huà xià
- Literal Translation: not, at, words, under
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4