📖 Meaning
This idiom means to wait and see the future results or effects. It originally referred to the practice of giving an offender a lighter punishment and then observing their subsequent behavior to see if they reform. Today it describes giving someone a second chance with the understanding that their future actions will determine the final outcome.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Book of Later Han (后汉书), in the Annals of Emperor An (安帝纪), a history text of the Eastern Han dynasty compiled by Fan Ye. Emperor An issued an edict during the autumn season when executions were traditionally carried out, stating that stern measures would be applied but also reaffirming the principle of observing offenders' future conduct. The full passage reads that since the autumn execution season had arrived, the authorities would reiterate their stance to observe the later effects of an offender's behavior. This reflected the traditional Chinese legal philosophy of tempering justice with mercy, giving wrongdoers an opportunity to reform before facing the ultimate punishment.
💡 Example Usage
法官决定对他从轻处罚，以观后效。
The judge decided to give him a lighter punishment, so as to observe his future conduct.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 以观后效
- Pinyin: yǐ guān hòu xiào
- Literal Translation: in order to, observe, later, effect
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4