📖 Meaning
To abandon an old love and dote on a new one. It typically describes a man who discards his former partner or favorite in favor of a new romance. The idiom carries a critical tone toward fickle and unfaithful behavior.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Yuan dynasty playwright Guan Hanqing's drama 'Wangjiang Ting' (望江亭), specifically the second act. In the play, a character laments being deceived, accusing another of abandoning old affection in favor of a new love, using clever schemes and deceitful tactics. The phrase has since become a common criticism of romantic infidelity and fickleness in relationships.
💡 Example Usage
他有了新欢便弃旧怜新，把相伴多年的妻子抛在了脑后。
He took a new lover and abandoned his old love, leaving behind the wife who had been with him for years.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 弃旧怜新
- Pinyin: qì jiù lián xīn
- Literal Translation: abandon, old, dote on, new
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4