📖 Meaning
Literally 'a single horse taking the lead.' It means to charge ahead at the forefront, to be the first to rush into battle or take initiative. The idiom describes someone who bravely leads the way in a dangerous or challenging situation.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Yuan dynasty playwright Guan Hanqing's work 'Wuhou Yan' (五侯宴), Act Three, which describes a fierce battle scene: 'The blade sweeps across the universe, three armies perish, a single horse charges to the front fighting a hundred bouts.' The imagery evokes a lone warrior on horseback boldly leading the assault against enemy forces. Over time, it became a metaphor for taking the lead with courage and determination in any endeavor.
💡 Example Usage
冲锋号一响，连长匹马当先，带领战士们冲向敌阵。
As the charge bugle sounded, the company commander charged to the forefront, leading his soldiers toward the enemy lines.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 匹马当先
- Pinyin: pǐ mǎ dāng xiān
- Literal Translation: single, horse, take, lead
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4