📖 Meaning
Literally 'as if walking on flat ground.' It describes doing something with such ease and familiarity that no difficulty is felt, as though one were strolling on level terrain. It is often used to praise someone's mastery or skill in navigating a challenging situation.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a Tang dynasty tale by Pei Xing titled 'Zhou Han.' In the story, a slave boy of fourteen or fifteen was sold by local people; though young, he appeared clever and sharp. He claimed to be so skilled at swimming and diving into water that he moved 'as if walking on flat ground.' The expression later came to describe anyone who handles difficult tasks with remarkable ease.
💡 Example Usage
他驾龄三十年，走这段盘山路如履平地。
With thirty years of driving experience, he navigates this winding mountain road as if it were flat ground.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 如履平地
- Pinyin: rú lǚ píng dì
- Literal Translation: as if, step, flat, ground
- Category: Skill
- Characters: 4