📖 Meaning
To raise one's eyebrows and eyes with a stern, severe expression. It describes someone displaying fierce anger and commanding authority through an intimidating facial expression. The phrase conveys a posture of wrathful resolve and imposing presence.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Biography of Wang Mang' in the Book of Han (汉书), compiled by the Eastern Han dynasty historian Ban Gu. The passage describes how, at a critical moment, Wang Mang demonstrated extraordinary foresight, exerted unprecedented authority, raised his brows with stern countenance, and roused martial fury against his enemies. Wang Mang was the figure who briefly usurped the Han throne to establish the short-lived Xin dynasty (9–23 CE). The expression thus originally portrayed the fierce, commanding demeanor of a powerful statesman confronting crisis.
💡 Example Usage
面对叛军的威胁，将军盱衡厉色，誓死捍卫城池。
Facing the rebel army's threats, the general raised his brows with a stern countenance and swore to defend the city to the death.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 盱衡厉色
- Pinyin: xū héng lì sè
- Literal Translation: raise eyebrows and eyes, stern, countenance
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4