📖 Meaning
This idiom means to hide one's traces and keep a low profile. The imagery draws from fish diving deep to conceal their scales and birds folding away their wings, metaphorically describing someone who deliberately avoids attention. It conveys the idea of lying low and concealing one's presence or abilities.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the preface to the poetry collection Conglong Shi Ji by the Ming dynasty censor Cao Yunlin, written by the scholar-official Zhang Huangyan. The original text reads '潜鳞戢羽，幸舟逢鄂君' (with hidden scales and folded feathers, fortunately the boat met Lord E), describing someone who conceals himself but is fortunate enough to encounter a kindred spirit. The phrase uses the imagery of aquatic creatures hiding in deep waters and birds tucking their wings to represent lying low. Zhang Huangyan was a prominent Ming loyalist who resisted the Qing conquest.
💡 Example Usage
局势动荡之际，他选择潜鳞戢羽，静待时机。
Amidst the turmoil, he chose to keep a low profile and quietly bide his time.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 潜鳞戢羽
- Pinyin: qián lín jí yǔ
- Literal Translation: hide scales, fold feathers
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4