📖 Meaning
To tremble with fear and feel one's heart pounding. It describes being extremely frightened or terrified, to the point where one's body shakes uncontrollably. The phrase conveys a deep, visceral sense of dread.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Yuan dynasty play 'The Romance of the secluded boudoir' (幽闺记) by Shi Hui (施惠). The play depicts characters fleeing war and turmoil after a lifetime of peace, unaccustomed to the chaos of displacement. The line describes their terror and trembling as they struggle to escape the ravages of war, capturing the raw fear of people torn from their sheltered lives.
💡 Example Usage
听到窗外传来一声巨响，他顿时胆颤心惊，连忙躲到桌子底下。
Hearing a loud crash outside the window, he was instantly struck with fear and trembling, and hastily hid under the table.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 胆颤心惊
- Pinyin: dǎn chàn xīn jīng
- Literal Translation: gallbladder, tremble, heart, startled
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4