📖 Meaning
This idiom means to pursue and attack a defeated, fleeing enemy, pressing the advantage after a victory. It is synonymous with the more common variant 追亡逐北 and describes a victorious army chasing down routed opponents rather than letting them escape. It conveys the idea of an overwhelming, relentless pursuit of a broken enemy force.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the chapter 《兵法》(The Art of War) in the Guanzi (《管子》), a foundational text traditionally attributed to Guan Zhong, chief minister of Duke Huan of Qi in the Spring and Autumn period, though the surviving text was likely compiled during the Warring States period. The chapter discusses military strategy and argues that with proper equipment and training, an army becomes unstoppable in both pursuit and attack. It derives from the line "器成教施，追亡逐遁若飘风，击刺若雷电" (When weapons are ready and discipline has been instilled, pursuing the fleeing enemy is like a whirlwind, and striking is like thunder and lightning). No specific historical battle or figure is attached to the idiom itself.
💡 Example Usage
边军乘胜追亡逐遁，一路收复数城。
The border troops, pressing their advantage, pursued the fleeing enemy and recaptured several cities along the way.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 追亡逐遁
- Pinyin: zhuī wáng zhú dùn
- Literal Translation: pursue the fleeing, chase the escaping
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4