📖 Meaning
Describes someone who moves with lightning speed and agility, like a rabbit darting away from a predator. It is often used to praise quick reflexes, swift action, or the ability to spring into motion instantly when the moment calls for it.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' (《孙子·九地》), written during the Spring and Autumn Period (circa 5th century BCE). Sun Tzu advises that an army should first appear as demure as a maiden, causing the enemy to lower their guard. Then, at the decisive moment, the army should strike with the explosive speed of a rabbit breaking free from a snare, giving the enemy no time to mount a defense. The phrase was later condensed into the four-character idiom '动如脱兔', encapsulating the military principle of sudden, irresistible action.
💡 Example Usage
裁判哨声一响，他动如脱兔，瞬间冲过了起跑线。
The moment the referee's whistle blew, he bolted like a startled hare and shot past the starting line in an instant.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 动如脱兔
- Pinyin: dòng rú tuō tù
- Literal Translation: move, like, escape, rabbit
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4