Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 假途灭虢Pinyin: jiǎ tú miè guóLiteral Meaning: Seize a state by borrowing passage through its territoryFigurative Meaning: A crafty tactic of taking advantage of asking for passage to invade and eliminate the target party secretly Cultural Background The idiom comes from Spring and Autumn Period history. It exposes deceptive military and…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 唇亡齿寒Pinyin: chún wáng chǐ hánLiteral Meaning: When the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold.Figurative Meaning: Two things or parties are closely connected; if one suffers harm, the other will be affected too. It describes an interdependent relationship with shared interests and risks. Extended Background & Usage Notes This…
This article narrates the historical tragedy of the State of Yu during the Spring and Autumn period. It details the famous strategy of “Borrowing a Path to Conquer Guo”, where the State of Jin bribed the greedy Duke of Yu with jade and a horse to pass through his territory to attack Guo. Despite…