📖 Meaning
To handle or manage a task entirely by oneself, taking charge of everything without allowing others to participate. The phrase conveys a single person monopolizing control and refusing to share the work or let anyone else get involved.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Qing Dynasty novel Qi Lu Deng (《歧路灯》) written by Li Lüyuan, appearing in Chapter 43. In the passage, a character says, "你一手包揽，我只崝我的头钱" (You handle everything single-handedly; I'll just take my share of the commission). The phrase 包揽 (undertake everything) combined with 一手 (one hand, i.e. one person) gives the sense of one individual monopolizing a task. Over time it evolved into the standard form 一手包办, meaning to do everything alone.
💡 Example Usage
这个项目从头到尾都是他一手包办，别人根本插不上手。
He handled this project single-handedly from start to finish, leaving no room for anyone else to get involved.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一手包办
- Pinyin: yī shǒu bāo bàn
- Literal Translation: one, hand, undertake, manage
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4