📖 Meaning
This idiom means to discard the old and establish the new. It originally referred to political reforms or dynastic changes. In modern usage, it broadly means removing outdated practices and building new systems, synonymous with the idiom 革故鼎新.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom appears in Act 2 of 'Wang Zhaojun,' a play by the renowned modern Chinese playwright Cao Yu. In the play, it describes a chanyu (Xiongnu leader) known for his generosity and commitment to loyalty and trust, who devotes himself to diligent governance and reform. The phrase reflects the classical Chinese political ideal of replacing outdated systems with new ones. It shares the same meaning as the older idiom 革故鼎新, which traces back to the Book of Changes (I Ching).
💡 Example Usage
新任市长决心革故立新，推动城市全面改革。
The newly appointed mayor was determined to discard the old and establish the new, driving comprehensive reform across the city.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 革故立新
- Pinyin: gé gù lì xīn
- Literal Translation: discard, old, establish, new
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4