📖 Meaning
To quote from classical texts and historical records as authoritative support for one's argument. It describes someone who grounds their reasoning in established scriptures and ancient writings. The idiom conveys a scholarly, well-read approach to making a point.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom draws upon the long Chinese tradition of revering classical texts—particularly the Confucian canon and standard histories—as the ultimate authority in debate and governance. Scholars throughout the imperial era were expected to support their arguments with citations from works such as the Book of Documents, the Analects, and the Records of the Grand Historian. Over time, the phrase came to describe anyone who habitually invokes ancient sources to justify a position, whether in scholarly disputation, political counsel, or literary composition.
💡 Example Usage
他在辩论中引经据古，令对手无从反驳。
In the debate, he quoted from the classics and ancient histories, leaving his opponent unable to rebut.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 引经据古
- Pinyin: yǐn jīng jù gǔ
- Literal Translation: cite, classics, rely on, antiquity
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4