📖 Meaning
To swagger through the streets in a showy or ostentatious manner, deliberately drawing attention to oneself. It describes someone who flaunts their status, wealth, or appearance in public to impress others.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记·孔子世家) by Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty. It recounts that when Confucius was staying in the State of Wei, Duke Ling of Wei rode in a carriage with his consort Lady Nanzi while the eunuch Yong Qu sat beside him as attendant. Confucius was made to ride in a secondary carriage behind them, and the entourage paraded through the marketplace in a conspicuous and ostentatious procession. The phrase originally described this public display of power and vanity, and later came to mean showing off in public.
💡 Example Usage
他中了大奖后开着豪车招摇过市，引得路人纷纷侧目。
After winning the lottery, he drove his luxury car through the streets showing off, drawing sideways glances from passersby.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 招摇过市
- Pinyin: zhāo yáo guò shì
- Literal Translation: show off, swagger, pass, market
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4