鸟尽弓藏 — “Birds gone, bows stored away”
鸟尽弓藏 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to discard or abandon someone who has been instrumental in achieving a goal, once their services are no longer required”. Literally, “Birds gone, bows stored away”.
鸟尽弓藏 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 鸟niǎo
- 尽jìn
- 弓gōng
- 藏cáng
鸟尽弓藏 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 鸟尽弓藏
Origin and Story of 鸟尽弓藏
The idiom "Niao Jin Gong Cang" originates from the Spring and Autumn period. After King Goujian of Yue was defeated by King Fuchai of Wu, he endured years of hardship, supported by his loyal strategists Wen Zhong and Fan Li. With their wisdom, Goujian rebuilt his state and eventually defeated Wu.
Before the final victory, King Fuchai, facing defeat, sent a message to Fan Li, warning him: "When the cunning rabbits are killed, the hunting dogs are cooked. When enemy states are conquered, the strategists are cast aside." Fan Li understood this grim reality.
After Wu's defeat and Goujian's triumph, Fan Li wisely chose to leave, realizing that Goujian was a man one could share adversity with, but not prosperity. He also sent a letter to Wen Zhong, urging him to depart as well, echoing the sentiment: "When birds are all shot down, the bow is put away. When rabbits are all caught, the hunting dog is cooked."
Wen Zhong, however, hesitated to leave. Eventually, King Goujian, suspicious of Wen Zhong's prolonged absence from court, presented him with a sword, subtly implying that Wen Zhong had outlived his usefulness. Realizing his fate, Wen Zhong sadly took his own life, fulfilling Fan Li's warning and becoming another victim of "Niao Jin Gong Cang".
Idioms Related to 鸟尽弓藏
Synonyms of 鸟尽弓藏
More idioms starting with 鸟
- niǎo鸟wèi为shí食wáng亡People die for wealth or fame
- niǎo鸟fú伏shòu兽qióng穷utterly exhausted and at wits' end
- niǎo鸟rù入fán樊lóng笼to fall into a trap
- niǎo鸟shòu兽sàn散scatter in disarray like birds and beasts
- niǎo鸟shòu兽lǜ率wǔ舞birds and beasts dance in harmony
- niǎo鸟shòu兽xíng行utterly immoral animalistic conduct
- niǎo鸟kū哭yuán猿tí啼desolate and sorrowful scene
- niǎo鸟tí啼huā花yuàn怨lament with a heavy heart
- niǎo鸟tí啼huā花luò落desolation and melancholy
- niǎo鸟shēng声shòu兽xīn心sweet-tongued but evil-hearted
- niǎo鸟jìn尽gōng弓cáng藏，，tù兔sǐ死gǒu狗pēng烹discard helpers after success
- niǎo鸟dé得gōng弓cáng藏discard people after they've served their purpose
Questions about 鸟尽弓藏
- What does 鸟尽弓藏 mean?
- 鸟尽弓藏 (niǎo jìn gōng cáng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to discard or abandon someone who has been instrumental in achieving a goal, once their services are no longer required”.
- How do you pronounce 鸟尽弓藏?
- 鸟尽弓藏 is pronounced niǎo jìn gōng cáng in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 鸟尽弓藏 literally mean?
- Literally, 鸟尽弓藏 means “Birds gone, bows stored away”. It is used to mean “to discard or abandon someone who has been instrumental in achieving a goal, once their services are no longer required”.
- Where does 鸟尽弓藏 come from?
- 鸟尽弓藏 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 鸟尽弓藏?
- 鸟没有了，弓也就藏起来不用了。比喻事情成功之后，把曾经出过力的人一脚踢开。