📖 Meaning
To only advance and never retreat. It describes a resolute attitude or military determination where there is no turning back once a course of action is undertaken.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from Chapter 61 of ' Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms' (东周列国志) by Ming dynasty writer Feng Menglong. In the story, two generals vow before their troops that there should be no empty words in the army, and they personally would brave arrows and stones to attack day and night, advancing without retreat. It later became a metaphor for unyielding determination and courage in the face of difficulty.
💡 Example Usage
战士们抱定有进无退的决心，向敌人的阵地发起了最后的冲锋。
With a resolve to advance and never retreat, the soldiers launched their final charge against the enemy position.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 有进无退
- Pinyin: yǒu jìn wú tuì
- Literal Translation: have, advance, no, retreat
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4