📖 Meaning
This idiom describes hatred so extreme that one wishes to sleep on the enemy's skin and eat their flesh. It originally referred to vengeance-fueled loathing, and later came to also describe brave, fierce conduct or spirit.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Zuo Zhuan (左传), in the account of the 21st year of Duke Xiang of Lu (c. 552 BCE) during the Spring and Autumn period. In the state of Jin, after the powerful Luan clan fell into disgrace and Luan Ying was driven into exile, the warrior Zhou Chuo — formerly one of the Luan faction — was asked about Luan Ying's remaining followers. He replied that those two men were like beasts to him: he would eat their flesh and sleep upon their skin. This image of consuming a hated foe came to symbolize the deepest enmity.
💡 Example Usage
面对背叛民族的汉奸，人人都恨不得寝皮食肉。
Faced with a traitor who betrayed the nation, everyone wished they could eat his flesh and sleep on his skin.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 寝皮食肉
- Pinyin: qǐn pí shí ròu
- Literal Translation: sleep on the hide, eat the flesh
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4