📖 Meaning
Literally like nailing nails into an iron board. It describes someone speaking or acting with resolute, firm, and unhesitating finality. It also means something is already a settled conclusion that cannot be changed or doubted.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from modern Chinese literature, appearing in Fan Naicheng's story "小技术员战胜神仙手" (The Little Technician Defeats the Divine Hand), where an old man taps his pipe against the branch secretary's plan and bursts out three words 'I object!' as decisively as nails driven into an iron plate. It later gained wider currency through publications such as the 1981 sixth issue of the journal 《花城》 (Flower City). The imagery of hammering nails into iron conveys an unyielding, conclusive force. No ancient dynasty figure is associated with it; it is a modern literary expression.
💡 Example Usage
这件事早就铁板钉钉了，你再反对也没用。
This matter has long been settled as decisively as nails in iron; it's useless for you to object now.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 铁板钉钉
- Pinyin: tiě bǎn dìng dīng
- Literal Translation: iron, board, nail, nail
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4