📖 Meaning
Describes a scene of fleeing in panic and disarray, like rats scurrying and wolves running. It conveys a desperate, chaotic escape from danger or defeat.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from "Water Margin" (水浒传) by Shi Nai'an of the Ming Dynasty, appearing in Chapter 66. It depicts the chaotic scene inside Daming Prefecture when it came under attack, where common citizens fled in terror. The phrase uses the imagery of startled rats and wolves to vividly portray people scattering desperately in every direction.
💡 Example Usage
敌军被打得鼠窜狼奔，丢盔弃甲。
The enemy troops were beaten into a chaotic rout, fleeing in panic and abandoning their armor.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 鼠窜狼奔
- Pinyin: shǔ cuàn láng bēn
- Literal Translation: rat scurry, wolf flee
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4