📖 Meaning
A metaphor for being misled by partial or temporary phenomena, leaving one unable to grasp the whole picture or perceive the fundamental truth. It describes someone so focused on a narrow detail that they miss the larger, more important reality, just as two beans in the ears can drown out thunder.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the ancient Chinese philosophical text 《鹖冠子·天则》(Master Heguan: The Laws of Heaven), composed during the Warring States period. The original passage states that the ear governs hearing and the eye governs sight, then illustrates with two parallel images: a single leaf blocking the eye prevents one from seeing Mount Tai, and two beans plugging the ears prevents one from hearing thunder. Master Heguan used these images to warn rulers against being deceived by superficial or partial information. Over time the phrase became a standalone idiom describing limited perception.
💡 Example Usage
他沉迷眼前小利，犹如两豆塞耳，听不进任何忠告。
So fixated on petty immediate gains, he was like a man with two beans plugging his ears, unable to take in any sound advice.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 两豆塞耳
- Pinyin: liǎng dòu sāi ěr
- Literal Translation: two, beans, block, ears
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4