📖 Meaning
To possess a uniquely sharp perspective and insight. It describes someone whose vision is keen, able to discern things that others easily overlook or fail to notice.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Southern Song dynasty poet Yang Wanli, who in his poem 'Sending Peng Yuanzhong, County Assistant, Back North' wrote the line: 'Recently I have gained another special eye, wanting to tread the highest pass of the Tang people.' The expression '别具一只眼' (to possess another kind of eye) from this poem later evolved into the idiom '独具只眼,' praising a person of exceptional discernment. Modern usage was notably reinforced when Lu Xun employed it in his essay collection 'Quasi-Fengyue Tan.'
💡 Example Usage
他在众多画作中一眼挑出真品，真可谓独具只眼。
Among the many paintings, he picked out the genuine one at a glance—truly possessing exceptional discernment.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 独具只眼
- Pinyin: dú jù zhī yǎn
- Literal Translation: alone, possess, single, eye
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4