📖 Meaning
Describes a state of being extremely cautious, vigilant, and fearful of making mistakes. It conveys reverent apprehension, as if treading on thin ice or driving a horse with rotting reins. The expression emphasizes careful wariness born from a deep awareness of danger or the weight of responsibility.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from Kang Youwei's 'Second Memorial to the Qing Emperor' (上清帝第二书), a reformist document submitted during the late Qing dynasty. In it, Kang quoted the wisdom of ancient kings who governed as one driving a horse with rotting reins, ever mindful that heaven's mandate is unpredictable. He described them as '战战业业，若履渊冰' — trembling with caution, as if walking on thin ice over a deep abyss. The imagery draws on earlier classical sources, including the Book of Documents and the Book of Odes, which stressed reverence and vigilance in wielding power.
💡 Example Usage
面对这项重任，他战战业业，不敢有丝毫懈怠。
Facing this heavy responsibility, he was exceedingly cautious and dared not show the slightest negligence.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 战战业业
- Pinyin: zhàn zhàn yè yè
- Literal Translation: trembling, trembling, cautious, cautious
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4