📖 Meaning
To rally one's forces and start over after a defeat or setback. It metaphorically refers to regrouping, reorganizing, and making a fresh attempt after failure. The image evokes a military commander re-hoisting battle flags and re-sounding war drums to resume the fight.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Qing dynasty drama 'Xuanting Yuan' (轩亭冤·惊梦) by Xianglingzi (湘灵子). In the play, a character expresses the desire to rally forces anew and asks another to draft an essay advocating gender equality to awaken and advise women. The idiom draws on the ancient military practice of using flags and drums to command troops, symbolizing a determined effort to recover and fight again after a loss.
💡 Example Usage
经历失败后，他决心重振旗鼓，重新开创事业。
After experiencing failure, he was determined to rally his forces and start his career anew.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 重振旗鼓
- Pinyin: chóng zhèn qí gǔ
- Literal Translation: re-raise, flags, drums
- Category: Recovery
- Characters: 4