📖 Meaning
A metaphor for deep fraternal love, where brothers would sacrifice themselves for each other in times of danger. The idiom captures the spirit of willingly offering one's own life so that a sibling may live.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Biography of Zhao Xiao' in the Book of Later Han (《后汉书·赵孝传》). During a period of chaos and famine, when cannibalism was rampant, Zhao Xiao's younger brother Zhao Li was captured by starving bandits. Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiao tied himself up and went to the bandits, declaring that his brother had been hungry too long and was too thin to eat, while he himself was fat and would make a better meal. The bandits were so astonished by this display of brotherly devotion that they released both of them.
💡 Example Usage
战乱中他们兄肥弟瘦，争相赴死以护对方周全。
Amid the war, they embodied the spirit of 'elder brother fat, younger brother thin,' each vying to die in the other's place to keep the other safe.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 兄肥弟瘦
- Pinyin: xiōng féi dì shòu
- Literal Translation: elder brother, fat, younger brother, thin
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4