📖 Meaning
This idiom describes feeling deeply shocked and alarmed upon seeing something. It conveys a strong visceral reaction where both one's heart and eyes are struck by the distressing or horrifying nature of what is witnessed. It is equivalent to the similar expression 惊心骇瞩.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom combines 惊心, meaning to shock or startle the heart, and 怵目, meaning to frighten or alarm the eyes, together expressing a profound sense of alarm upon witnessing something disturbing. It is closely related to the classical expression 惊心骇瞩 found in early Chinese literary texts. The phrase emphasizes both the emotional impact on the heart and the visual impact on the eyes, underscoring how a shocking sight can deeply unsettle a person. No specific single-source origin story is recorded for this idiom.
💡 Example Usage
那场事故的现场令人惊心怵目。
The scene of that accident was deeply shocking and alarming to behold.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 惊心怵目
- Pinyin: jīng xīn chù mù
- Literal Translation: shock, heart, frighten, eye
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4