📖 Meaning
Describes a state of deep indignation or intense emotional agitation. It originates from the story of Wang Dun of the Jin dynasty, who would tap his spittoon until it chipped while reciting poetry that expressed heroic frustration. The idiom conveys a passionate, restless spirit stirred by unfulfilled ambition.
📜 Origin Story
During the Jin dynasty, the powerful general Wang Dun would often recite Cao Cao's poem '龟虽寿' while drinking. Overcome with emotion and frustration at his unfulfilled ambitions, he would strike his spittoon in time with his chanting. Eventually the spittoon became chipped and cracked from repeated striking. The story was recorded in sources such as the Shishuo Xinyu, and the image of the chipped spittoon became a literary symbol of restless, impassioned spirit.
💡 Example Usage
他读到慷慨悲壮之处，不禁唾壶敲缺，悲愤难抑。
Reading the stirring and tragic passage, he could not help but beat his spittoon until it chipped, overwhelmed with indignation.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 唾壶敲缺
- Pinyin: tuò hú qiāo quē
- Literal Translation: spittoon, knock, chipped
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4