📖 Meaning
This idiom uses rice and salt—common, abundant commodities—as a metaphor for argumentation that is broad-ranging and minutely detailed. It describes discourse that covers many points extensively but may lack focus or conciseness.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the chapter 'Shui Nan' (说难, 'The Difficulty of Persuasion') in the Legalist text 'Han Feizi' (《韩非子》), written by the philosopher Han Fei (韩非, c. 280–233 BC) during the late Warring States period. In this chapter, Han Fei analyzes the perils of persuading a ruler, noting that if a persuader's arguments are as scattered and abundant as rice and salt, the ruler may find them excessive and grow alienated. The metaphor illustrates the danger of being overly verbose and unfocused when trying to influence those in power.
💡 Example Usage
此人发言好米盐博辩，虽引经据典却常不得要领。
He loves to ramble on in exhaustive detail when he speaks; though he cites copious sources, he often misses the main point.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 米盐博辩
- Pinyin: mǐ yán bó biàn
- Literal Translation: rice, salt, broad, debate
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4