📖 Meaning
To alarm and mobilize a large number of people for a task. It implies making an unnecessary commotion or fuss over something that could be handled more simply. It is a variant of the idiom 惊师动众.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom comes from a letter by Yuan Hongdao, a prominent Ming dynasty literatus, titled 'To Huang Pingqian' (与黄平倩书). In the letter, Yuan advises that all matters should be handled in an ordinary, straightforward manner without unnecessarily alarming and mobilizing many people. The phrase reflects the literati's preference for simplicity and calm deliberation over grand displays of effort.
💡 Example Usage
这点小事不必惊群动众，我们几个人就能解决。
There's no need to alarm everyone and mobilize a crowd over such a small matter; the few of us can handle it.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 惊群动众
- Pinyin: jīng qún dòng zhòng
- Literal Translation: startle, crowd, move, masses
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4