📖 Meaning
To be fully armed and equipped for battle, clad in protective armor with weapons in hand. It describes a state of complete military readiness, where one is prepared to fight at a moment's notice.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom first appears in Xun Yue's 'Han Ji: Annals of Emperor Wen' from the Han dynasty. It describes Zhou Bo, a prominent Han general and statesman who was enfeoffed as a marquis. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, Zhou Bo lived in constant fear of persecution. Whenever county officials came to inspect his territory, Zhou Bo would don full armor and take up weapons, ready to defend himself at any moment. This image of perpetual vigilance and armed readiness gave rise to the idiom.
💡 Example Usage
敌军已至城下，众将士被甲持兵，严阵以待。
With the enemy at the city gates, all soldiers donned armor and gripped their weapons, standing ready in tight formation.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 被甲持兵
- Pinyin: pī jiǎ chí bīng
- Literal Translation: wear armor, grasp weapon
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4