📖 Meaning
To praise someone or something incessantly without stopping. It describes a person who is so impressed that they cannot stop expressing their admiration. The phrase conveys genuine, enthusiastic approval that flows naturally and continuously.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom first appears in Chapter 61 of 'The Three Heroes and Five Gallants' (三侠五义), a classic Qing Dynasty wuxia novel by Shi Yukun (石玉昆). In the story, a character named Master Ding (丁大爷) hears a detailed account of certain events and, the more he ponders them, the more impressed he becomes. Overwhelmed by admiration, he finds himself praising the matter continuously without pause. This vivid scene gave rise to the idiom, capturing the feeling of being so thoroughly impressed that one cannot hold back their compliments.
💡 Example Usage
宾客们对这道菜赞口不绝。
The guests were full of unstinting praise for this dish.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 赞口不绝
- Pinyin: zàn kǒu bù jué
- Literal Translation: praise, mouth, not, cease
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4