📖 Meaning
This idiom means to launch a military campaign or undertake any major action without a legitimate reason or moral justification. It criticizes actions that lack proper cause, implying they are unjustified and likely to fail or face condemnation.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom comes from the "New Book of Tang" (《新唐书》), in the section "Eastern Barbarians — Goguryeo" (《东夷传·高丽》). It records a discussion in which the Tang court debated whether to send troops against the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. The passage states that the Goguryeo official Yeon Gaesomun (莫离支) had murdered his king and ruthlessly oppressed the people, causing widespread resentment. The speaker argued that under these circumstances, the Tang dynasty could not claim to lack a just cause for military intervention.
💡 Example Usage
这场战争出师无名，注定得不到百姓的支持。
This war is launched without just cause and is doomed to lack the support of the people.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 出师无名
- Pinyin: chū shī wú míng
- Literal Translation: dispatch, troops, without, justification
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4