📖 Meaning
The plum tree dies in place of the peach tree. Originally a metaphor for siblings protecting and helping one another, it now refers to substituting one person or thing for another, or taking the blame on someone else's behalf.
📜 Origin Story
From the ancient Han-dynasty Yuefu poem 'Ji Ming' (鸡鸣), which describes a peach tree growing beside a well and a plum tree beside it. When insects bore into the peach tree's roots, the plum tree withers and dies in its stead. The poem contrasts the deep mutual devotion of the trees with brothers who abandon each other, lamenting that plants cherish one another while siblings forget their bonds. Over time the idiom shifted from praising fraternal sacrifice to denoting substitution or bearing punishment for another.
💡 Example Usage
他甘愿李代桃僵，替弟弟承担了全部责任。
He willingly took the fall, bearing all the responsibility on his younger brother's behalf.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 李代桃僵
- Pinyin: lǐ dài táo jiāng
- Literal Translation: plum, replace, peach, wither
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4