📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to slaughtering livestock such as cattle and horses, typically to prepare a lavish feast or for sacrificial offerings. It conveys the act of killing animals for food, often in the context of celebration, hospitality, or ritual.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom does not trace to a single specific literary source but is a compound of common classical terms for slaughtering livestock. The character 敲 (to knock) is used in the sense of felling or killing animals, while 宰 means to butcher. Together they describe the preparation of cattle and horses for food, a practice common in ancient banquets, festivals, and sacrificial ceremonies. The phrase reflects the agrarian and pastoral culture of ancient China, where slaughtering livestock was reserved for special occasions.
💡 Example Usage
逢年过节，村里总要敲牛宰马，大宴宾客。
During festivals and holidays, the village would always slaughter cattle and horses to host a grand banquet for guests.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 敲牛宰马
- Pinyin: qiāo niú zǎi mǎ
- Literal Translation: knock, cattle, slaughter, horses
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4