📖 Meaning
To risk one's life to help someone avenge a grievance. It describes the spirit of self-sacrifice and loyalty in helping a friend seek vengeance, treating the act of revenge as one's own duty.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a poem by the Ming dynasty poet Gao Qi, titled 'Jie Jiao Shao Nian Chang Xing' (结交少年场行). The poem describes the ethos of befriending young gallants and knights-errant, declaring that one should form bonds with heroic youths who would, without hesitation, risk their lives to help avenge a friend's wrongs. It reflects the chivalric values of loyalty and self-sacrifice celebrated in classical Chinese literary tradition.
💡 Example Usage
他为了兄弟情义，甘愿借身报仇，舍命替朋友讨回公道。
For the sake of brotherly loyalty, he was willing to risk his life to avenge his friend and seek justice on his behalf.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 借身报仇
- Pinyin: jiè shēn bào chóu
- Literal Translation: borrow, body, repay, enemy
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4