📖 Meaning
Literally referring to a young bird whose feathers have not yet fully grown in. It is used metaphorically to describe someone who is young, inexperienced, or whose strength and influence are not yet sufficient. Often used to caution against premature action or overreaching ambition.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from 'Strategies of the Warring States' (战国策), specifically the 'Qin Strategies' section (秦策一). When the itinerant strategist Su Qin (苏秦) tried to persuade King Hui of Qin (秦惠王) to wage wars of conquest, the king declined, saying that a bird whose feathers are not yet fully grown cannot fly high. The king meant that the state of Qin was not yet strong enough to undertake such an ambitious campaign. Over time, the phrase '毛羽不丰满' evolved into the idiom '羽毛未丰'.
💡 Example Usage
这家公司羽毛未丰，还不宜与行业巨头正面竞争。
This company's feathers are not yet fully grown; it is premature to compete head-on with industry giants.
🏷️ Category
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➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 羽毛未丰
- Pinyin: yǔ máo wèi fēng
- Literal Translation: feathers, not yet, fully grown
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4