📖 Meaning
A person who avoids conflict at all costs and tries to keep the peace with everyone, never offering criticism or taking a stand. The term comes from someone who responds to everything with approval, regardless of the circumstances. It carries a mildly negative connotation of excessive agreeableness or lack of principle.
📜 Origin Story
During the late Eastern Han dynasty, the scholar Sima Hui (司马徽), courtesy name De Cao, was known for never criticizing anyone. No matter what people told him, he would respond that it was good. This trait earned him the nickname 'Mr. Good Good.' The story is recorded in Liu Yiqing's Shishuo Xinyu (世说新语) of the Southern Dynasties, with Liu Xiaobiao's annotation citing the Biography of Sima Hui. The phrase later became a common idiom describing people who never offend anyone.
💡 Example Usage
他凡事都不得罪人，活脱脱一个好好先生。
He never offends anyone in any matter—the very picture of a yes-man.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 好好先生
- Pinyin: hǎo hǎo xiān shēng
- Literal Translation: good, good, gentleman
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4