📖 Meaning
A metaphor for coming and going without a fixed pattern or schedule. It describes people or things that appear briefly and depart unpredictably. The phrase conveys a sense of restlessness and lack of permanence.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the classic Qing dynasty novel Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), Chapter 88, by Cao Xueqin. In the passage, it describes how Aunt Xue (姨太太) had been drifting in and out over the past few days, unable to come and report to the Old Lady (老太太, Jia Mu), and finally returned home after lunch that day. The expression captures her transient, unsettled comings and goings during that period.
💡 Example Usage
他这几年浮来暂去，始终没有在一个城市安定下来。
These past few years he has drifted in and out, never settling down in any one city.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 浮来暂去
- Pinyin: fú lái zàn qù
- Literal Translation: float, come, temporarily, go
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4