📖 Meaning
A metaphor for reversing the proper relationship between primary and secondary things, doing something in an illogical or backwards manner. It describes situations where the natural order is turned upside down, like trying to move the shore toward the boat instead of the boat toward the shore.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the classical Chinese novel 'Water Margin' (水浒传), attributed to Shi Nai'an of the Ming dynasty. In Chapter 21, a character complains that normally one poles a boat toward the shore, never the shore toward the boat, using it to criticize someone for reversing who should take the initiative. The vivid image of pushing the land toward the vessel rather than the vessel toward the land highlights the absurdity of inverted priorities.
💡 Example Usage
你让他主动上门求你，岂不是撑岸就船，本末倒置了吗？
Expecting him to come begging at your door—isn't that putting the cart before the horse?
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 撑岸就船
- Pinyin: chēng àn jiù chuán
- Literal Translation: support, shore, approach, boat
- Category: Logic
- Characters: 4