📖 Meaning
A metaphor for having exhausted all combat power and resources, leaving no options remaining. It describes a situation where one's strength is completely depleted and no further action is possible. The image is that of a warrior whose bow has snapped and whose blade is worn out.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Song Dynasty text 'Jingde Chuandeng Lu' (景德传灯录) compiled by the monk Shi Daoyuan. In the original passage, someone remarks that they intended to attack Mount Luoshan's stronghold, but found their bow broken and their knife spent. The expression was later adopted in Chan (Zen) Buddhist discourse to illustrate the point where all conventional means and effort have been exhausted, leaving one with no recourse. It conveys a sense of complete depletion of strength or strategy.
💡 Example Usage
敌军久攻不下，已是弓折刀尽，只得下令退兵。
The enemy army, having failed to take the city after a long siege, found its strength completely exhausted and had no choice but to order a retreat.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 弓折刀尽
- Pinyin: gōng zhé dāo jìn
- Literal Translation: bow, broken, knife, exhausted
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4