📖 Meaning
To rest one's head on a weapon while still wearing armor, sitting upright and ready for combat. It describes a state of constant vigilance and perpetual readiness for war. The phrase conveys an attitude of never letting down one's guard against potential threats.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Book of Zhou' (周书), specifically the 'Annals of Emperor Wen' (文帝纪上), compiled by Linghu Defen and others during the Tang dynasty. In the text, a military commander warns that if an adversary remains indecisive and disobeys imperial orders, the state will enforce its laws and the army—resting on weapons in full armor—will confront the enemy in due course. The imagery evokes soldiers who sleep with their weapons as pillows and sit clad in armor, prepared for battle at any moment. Over time, the expression came to symbolize unwavering military preparedness and readiness to fight.
💡 Example Usage
边关将士枕戈坐甲，日夜不敢稍有松懈。
The frontier soldiers rested on their weapons in full armor, never daring to let down their guard day or night.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 枕戈坐甲
- Pinyin: zhěn gē zuò jiǎ
- Literal Translation: pillow on, halberd, sit, armor
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4