📖 Meaning
To hide one's tracks and conceal one's brilliance, keeping oneself from being noticed. It describes someone who deliberately stays out of sight and downplays their talents. The idiom emphasizes self-effacement until the right moment arrives.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Jin dynasty scholar Lu Ji's work 'Eulogy of Meritorious Ministers of Emperor Gaozu of Han' (《汉高祖功臣颂》). It describes Peng Yue, a founding general of the Han dynasty, who observed the changing times and concealed his abilities and intentions. When the moment was ripe, he revealed his prowess, soaring like an eagle. The phrase thus celebrates the wisdom of biding one's time in obscurity.
💡 Example Usage
他功成之后弢迹匿光，从此隐居山林，不再过问世事。
After achieving success, he hid his traces and concealed his brilliance, retiring to the mountains and never again concerning himself with worldly affairs.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 弢迹匿光
- Pinyin: tāo jì nì guāng
- Literal Translation: conceal, traces, hide, brilliance
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4