📖 Meaning
Literally means meeting on a narrow road where there is no room to pass. It is most often used metaphorically to describe enemies or rivals encountering each other, with neither side willing to yield or let the other off easily.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a Han dynasty Yuefu poem titled '相逢行' (Song of Encounter), which contains the line '相逢狭路间，道隘不容车' — 'Meeting on a narrow road, the path is too narrow for a carriage to pass.' The poem describes two carriages meeting on a narrow path where neither can proceed without the other yielding. Over time, the expression evolved to emphasize adversarial encounters, particularly between enemies who are unwilling to compromise.
💡 Example Usage
狭路相逢勇者胜，退缩只会让自己失去机会。
When enemies meet on a narrow road, the brave one prevails; retreating will only cost you your chance.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 狭路相逢
- Pinyin: xiá lù xiāng féng
- Literal Translation: narrow, road, mutually, meet
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4