📖 Meaning
A cornered beast will still put up a desperate fight. It is used metaphorically to describe someone who, even when driven into a hopeless situation, will still struggle and resist rather than surrender.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Zuo Zhuan' (左传), specifically from the fourth year of Duke Ding (定公四年), during the Spring and Autumn period. When the State of Wu attacked the State of Chu, a Chu minister warned that even a cornered beast will fight back, let alone men, urging his lord not to underestimate the enemy. The saying later became a proverb for desperate resistance in hopeless circumstances.
💡 Example Usage
敌军虽已溃败，但困兽犹斗，我们不可掉以轻心。
Though the enemy forces have been routed, like a cornered beast they will still fight desperately, so we must not let our guard down.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 困兽犹斗
- Pinyin: kùn shòu yóu dòu
- Literal Translation: trapped, beast, still, fight
- Category: Perseverance
- Characters: 4