📖 Meaning
To close one's eyes and never open them again. It primarily refers to death. It can also describe escaping from reality, or a fearless willingness to sacrifice one's life for a cause.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from 'Strategies of the Warring States' (战国策·楚策一), a historical text compiled during the Warring States period. The original passage describes a loyal subject who, for the sake of the state, would sever his own head and abdomen, closing his eyes forever without regard for personal benefit. It conveys the ultimate devotion of sacrificing one's life for the nation's welfare. The phrase has since been used to denote death, particularly in the context of noble sacrifice.
💡 Example Usage
为国捐躯，一瞑不视，何惧之有。
To lay down one's life for the nation and close one's eyes forever — what is there to fear?
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一瞑不视
- Pinyin: yī míng bù shì
- Literal Translation: one, close eyes, not, see
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4