📖 Meaning
To take advantage of a moment of weakness or vulnerability to invade or intervene. It describes exploiting an opponent's deficiency or a gap in defenses to gain entry. Often used for military, competitive, or health contexts where someone strikes when the other side is unprepared.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to classical Daoist literature, appearing in the Yunji Qiqian (《云笈七签》), a Song dynasty compilation of Daoist texts. The original passage describes someone approaching a residence and entering through the rear wall by exploiting an undefended point, reaching the courtyard directly. Over centuries, the expression broadened from its literal martial context to describe any situation where weakness is exploited—whether in battle, illness, or competitive affairs. It became a common strategic metaphor in Chinese military and medical thought alike.
💡 Example Usage
敌人趁虚而入，攻占了这座毫无防备的城池。
The enemy took advantage of the vulnerability and captured the completely undefended city.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 趁虚而入
- Pinyin: chèn xū ér rù
- Literal Translation: 趁(take advantage of), 虚(emptiness/weakness), 而(and then), 入(enter)
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4