📖 Meaning
To shatter one's body and break one's head, expressing a willingness to sacrifice one's life entirely for a ruler, cause, or deeply felt obligation. It conveys ultimate devotion and self-sacrifice, often used in contexts of loyalty and gratitude that cannot be repaid.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from Cao Zhi (曹植), a prince and renowned poet of the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. In his memorial 'Xie Feng Zhencheng Wang Biao' (《谢封甄城王表》), written to express gratitude upon being enfeoffed as Prince of Juancheng, Cao Zhi humbly described himself as untalented and of lowly endowment. He lamented that despite receiving the Emperor's boundless grace, he could not even shatter his body and break his head to repay such profound virtue, conveying the depth of his loyal devotion.
💡 Example Usage
为报国恩，纵然摧身碎首，亦在所不辞。
To repay my country's grace, I would not hesitate even if it meant shattering my body and breaking my head.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 摧身碎首
- Pinyin: cuī shēn suì shǒu
- Literal Translation: destroy body, break head
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4