📖 Meaning
This idiom criticizes the tendency to set unrealistic, overly ambitious goals that are beyond one's practical reach. It warns against chasing lofty ideals without a solid foundation or feasible plan.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from Qing dynasty writer Li Yu's work 'Xian Qing Ou Ji' (闲情偶寄), specifically in the chapter on utensils and playthings discussing design principles. Li Yu observed that when people first conceive a design, they often fall into the trap of being overly ambitious and impractical (未免弛高骛远). The phrase is a less common variant of the more widely used idiom 好高骛远, sharing the same figurative meaning.
💡 Example Usage
年轻人创业切忌弛高骛远，应从实际出发。
Young entrepreneurs must avoid pursuing unrealistic ambitions and should start from practical realities.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 弛高骛远
- Pinyin: chí gāo wù yuǎn
- Literal Translation: loosen, high, pursue, far
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4