📖 Meaning
To feign a thrust with a spear as a deceptive diversion. Metaphorically, it describes making a false show of attack or action in order to conceal one's real intention to retreat or withdraw. It is commonly used for any feint or bluff used to mislead an opponent.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Qing dynasty novel 《水浒后传》 (Sequel to Water Margin) by Chen Chen. In the third chapter, the warrior Luan Tingyu, unable to withstand his opponent's assault, feinted with his spear and fled the battlefield in defeat. The phrase literally depicts a spear-fighting technique of making a deceptive thrust to create an opening. Over time it evolved into a general metaphor for any feigned action used as a diversionary tactic.
💡 Example Usage
敌军虚晃一枪，趁乱连夜撤退了。
The enemy feinted an attack and took advantage of the confusion to retreat overnight.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 虚晃一枪
- Pinyin: xiù huàng yī qiāng
- Literal Translation: empty, wave, one, spear
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4