📖 Meaning
One's life hangs between morning and evening, meaning death could come at any moment within a very short time. It describes a critically ill person whose life is in imminent danger.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from a letter by the Tang dynasty poet Chen Zi'ang titled 'Letter on Behalf of Prince Jian'an to the Generals.' In the letter, Chen described soldiers suffering severely from edema, their lives hanging by a thread with death possible at any moment. The term '旦夕' (morning and evening) denotes an extremely short span of time. Later writers such as Qing dynasty reformer Liang Qichao used it metaphorically to describe a nation in deep crisis.
💡 Example Usage
老人病重住院，医生说已命在旦夕，让家人做好准备。
The old man was hospitalized with a severe illness, and the doctor said his life was hanging by a thread, advising the family to prepare themselves.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 命在旦夕
- Pinyin: mìng zài dàn xī
- Literal Translation: life, at, morning, evening
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4