📖 Meaning
To ascend lightly and travel far away, leaving the secular world behind. It describes the act of withdrawing from society to live in seclusion, pursuing a life free from worldly entanglements.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from 'Yuanyou' (远游, 'Far Wanderings'), a poem in the Chuci (楚辞, Songs of Chu) anthology traditionally attributed to the Warring States poet Qu Yuan (屈原). The line reads: 'Grieving over the oppression of the times, I wish to ascend lightly and wander far.' Qu Yuan, a loyal minister of the Chu state who was repeatedly exiled and slandered, expressed through this verse his sorrow at a corrupt world and his longing to transcend worldly troubles by departing to distant realms. Over time, the phrase came to denote the act of renouncing public life to live as a recluse.
💡 Example Usage
他厌倦官场纷争，决定轻举远游，寻一处山水清幽之地隐居。
Weary of court intrigues, he decided to leave the world behind and wander far, seeking a secluded spot among mountains and waters to live in retreat.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 轻举远游
- Pinyin: qīng jǔ yuǎn yóu
- Literal Translation: lightly, rise, far, travel
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4