📖 Meaning
To be left far behind someone and stare helplessly, unable to catch up. It describes falling hopelessly behind others in skill, achievement, or progress.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the work Zhuangzi (庄子), specifically the chapter 'Tian Zifang' (田子方), written during the Warring States period. In the original passage, the disciple Yan Hui describes his teacher Confucius as running so swiftly and gracefully that he leaves everyone behind in the dust, while Hui himself can only stare helplessly from far behind, unable to keep pace. The phrase captures the vast gap between master and student.
💡 Example Usage
他的棋艺精湛，我只能瞠呼其后。
His chess skills are so superb that I can only stare helplessly behind him.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 瞠呼其后
- Pinyin: chēng hū qí hòu
- Literal Translation: stare, behind, its, behind
- Category: Skill
- Characters: 4