📖 Meaning
To split the wind and cleave through the waves. It describes someone who charges forward fearlessly against harsh conditions, breaking through all obstacles in their path. The idiom conveys a spirit of bold, decisive action in the face of adversity.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom does not trace to a specific classical text or historical figure. It draws on the rich maritime and nautical imagery prevalent in Chinese literature, where stormy seas and howling winds symbolize the trials and hardships of life. The verbs '劈' (split) and '斩' (cleave) evoke the image of a ship's prow cutting forcefully through gale and swell, a metaphor for a person who refuses to be deterred by difficulty. Over time, the phrase entered common usage to praise anyone who tackles formidable challenges head-on.
💡 Example Usage
面对困难，他劈风斩浪，勇往直前。
Facing difficulties, he split the wind and cleaved the waves, pressing forward courageously.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 劈风斩浪
- Pinyin: pī fēng zhǎn làng
- Literal Translation: split, wind, cleave, waves
- Category: Perseverance
- Characters: 4