📖 Meaning
Used to describe taking precautions against unlikely but possible accidents or emergencies. The term conveys the wisdom of being prepared for any contingency, no matter how improbable. It is commonly used when advising someone to keep a backup plan ready.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom has no specific literary origin or associated historical anecdote. The component '万一' refers to a one-in-ten-thousand chance, symbolizing an extremely unlikely event. Combined with '以防' meaning 'in order to guard against,' the phrase literally denotes preparing for that remote possibility. It has circulated as common folk wisdom in everyday Chinese for centuries without attribution to any particular dynasty or figure.
💡 Example Usage
出门时多带把伞，以防万一下雨。
Bring an extra umbrella when you go out, just in case it rains.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 以防万一
- Pinyin: yǐ fáng wàn yī
- Literal Translation: in order to, guard against, ten thousand, one
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4