📖 Meaning
To wrap the hooves of horses and hoist carts up a mountain. It describes the extreme difficulty and danger of traversing steep mountain paths where ordinary travel is nearly impossible.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Guanzi' (《管子·封禅》), an ancient Chinese political and philosophical text attributed to Guan Zhong of the Spring and Autumn period. It records the legendary account of Duke Huan of Qi undertaking a journey up Mount Bei'er, where horses' hooves had to be bound and carts suspended to ascend the treacherous terrain. The passage illustrates the perilous conditions faced during mountain expeditions in antiquity.
💡 Example Usage
古时行军束马悬车，翻越崇山峻岭方达目的地。
In ancient times, armies had to bind their horses and suspend their carts to cross towering mountains before reaching their destination.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 束马悬车
- Pinyin: shù mǎ xuán chē
- Literal Translation: bind horses, suspend carts
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4