📖 Meaning
The idiom describes an army that is well-provisioned and brimming with high morale. Soldiers are well-fed and spirited, and even the horses are vigorous and energetic, reflecting a state of peak military readiness.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Han Yu's 'Pacifying Huaixi Stele' (平淮西碑) in the Tang Dynasty. Han Yu, a renowned Tang scholar and official, praised the imperial army's successful campaign to quell a rebellion in the Huaixi region. The original line reads, 'Soldiers, well-fed, burst into song; horses prance in their stables,' capturing the vibrant scene of a well-supplied military camp. Over time, the phrase was distilled into the four-character idiom to symbolize abundant provisions and soaring morale.
💡 Example Usage
粮草运到前线后，全军士饱马腾，士气大振。
After the supplies reached the front line, the entire army was well-fed and in high spirits, with morale greatly boosted.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 士饱马腾
- Pinyin: shì bǎo mǎ téng
- Literal Translation: soldiers full, horses prancing
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4