📖 Meaning
Literally meaning to spread one's wings and fly high, this idiom describes a bird soaring into the sky. Metaphorically, it refers to someone fully realizing their talents, pursuing their ambitions, or achieving great success after being given the opportunity.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Qing Dynasty novel 'Ernü Yingxiong Zhuan' (Children of Heroes) by Wen Kang, specifically in Chapter 19. In a vividly emotional scene of mourning, the author describes how the grief was so profound that even stone statues wept and iron Buddhas were moved to sorrow. The passage notes that even the birds in the trees, startled by the atmosphere, fluttered their wings and flew far away. Over time, the idiom evolved to metaphorically describe someone spreading their wings to pursue grand ambitions.
💡 Example Usage
大学毕业后，他怀揣梦想展翅高飞，独自来到深圳创业。
After graduating from college, he spread his wings and flew to Shenzhen alone to start his own business, dreams in heart.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 展翅高飞
- Pinyin: zhǎn chì gāo fēi
- Literal Translation: spread, wings, high, fly
- Category: Success
- Characters: 4