📖 Meaning
To hold names accountable to reality; to examine whether someone's reputation matches their actual ability and conduct. It emphasizes verifying that titles, claims, or reputations correspond to genuine facts and performance.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from the 'Autobiographical Postface of the Grand Historian' (史记·太史公自序) by Sima Qian of the Western Han dynasty. In the text, Sima Qian critiques the School of Names (名家) for being overly pedantic in scrutinizing distinctions, causing people to lose sight of true meaning. He then notes that the practice of holding names accountable to reality—cross-checking and comparing thoroughly without error—is something one must carefully observe.
💡 Example Usage
管理者应当控名责实，根据实际业绩来考核员工。
Managers should hold titles accountable to reality, evaluating employees based on their actual performance.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 控名责实
- Pinyin: kòng míng zé shí
- Literal Translation: control, name, demand, reality
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4