📖 Meaning
Literally 'dog-stealing and rat-pilfering,' referring to petty thieves who steal like dogs and mice. Metaphorically, it describes insignificant rebels or petty criminals who lack the power to achieve anything of consequence. It is used to dismiss someone as beneath serious concern.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Han Ji' (汉纪) by the Han dynasty scholar Xun Yue, in the 'Annals of Emperor Hui.' Xun Yue argued that with a wise sovereign ruling above and clear laws established below, true rebels could not arise. Those who caused trouble were merely 'dog-stealing rat-pilfering' petty criminals, not a genuine threat to the state. The phrase thus came to denote would-be insurgents too insignificant to matter.
💡 Example Usage
这些不过是狗盗鼠窃之徒，成不了什么气候。
These are merely petty thieves and pilferers who will never amount to anything.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 狗盗鼠窃
- Pinyin: gǒu dào shǔ qiè
- Literal Translation: dog steal, rat pilfer
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4