📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to the increase and decrease, growth and decline of things — essentially the ebb and flow of fortune and circumstance. It is synonymous with the idiom 进退消息. It captures the cyclical shifting of power, influence, or vitality over time.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in the preface to the collected writings of Zhuang Zongbo of Wujin, written by the Qing dynasty scholar Wei Yuan. The text describes how, during the late Qianlong reign, the gentleman served at court alongside the powerful Grand Secretary Heshen but was deeply at odds with him and unhappy. Wei Yuan notes that in his studies of the Book of Odes and the Book of Changes, the scholar often reflected on the advance, retreat, decline, and growth of noble and petty men, expressing indignation and sorrowful sighs. The phrase thus encapsulates the cyclical contest between virtuous and corrupt factions at court.
💡 Example Usage
历朝历代的政治格局都在进退消长之间不断演变。
The political landscape of every dynasty evolves ceaselessly through cycles of advance, retreat, decline, and growth.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 进退消长
- Pinyin: jìn tuì xiāo cháng
- Literal Translation: advance, retreat, decrease, grow
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4