📖 Meaning
To launch military expeditions in all directions, campaigning east and west. It describes a state or general constantly fighting on multiple fronts to expand or defend territory. Used both for historical military conquest and, figuratively, for tireless effort across many places.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from a Tang dynasty eulogy by the poet Yang Jiong (杨炯), '左武卫将军成安子崔献行状' (Record of the Conduct of Cui Xian, Earl of Cheng'an and General of the Left Martial Guard). The text describes how, once chariots were sent out and battle-axe authority bestowed, the general campaigned east and subdued the west, and with mastery of the '孤虚向背' formation, even a host of women could stand against men. It honored General Cui Xian's distinguished military service to the Tang court. The idiom was later prominently used in the 'History of Yuan' (元史·木华黎传), where Genghis Khan's general Mu Huali recalls donning armor for forty years to help build the Mongol empire. Through these texts it became a set phrase for fighting on every front.
💡 Example Usage
我为国家助成大业，擐甲执锐垂四十年，东征西讨，无复遗恨。
For forty years I donned armor and took up weapons to help build the state, campaigning east and subduing the west, and I have no regrets.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 东征西讨
- Pinyin: dōng zhēng xī tǎo
- Literal Translation: east, campaign, west, subdue
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4