舐糠及米 — “To gradually encroach upon or seize control”

舐糠及米 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to gradually encroach upon or seize control”. To advance progressively from a lesser position to a greater one, often implying a strategic and incremental takeover. Literally, “Lick the husk and reach the rice”.

Frequency

舐糠及米 Pronunciation and Pinyin

舐糠及米 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
舐	shì	10	to lick
糠	kāng	17	grain husk or bran
及	jí	4	reach, and, in time
米	mǐ	6	rice or meter

Example Sentence with 舐糠及米

小王先从辅助工作做起，慢慢学习核心技能，最终成功掌握了项目管理大权，这真是一种舐糠及米的策略。

Little Wang started with auxiliary tasks, slowly learning core skills, and eventually successfully took charge of project management, which truly exemplifies a "licking the husk and reaching the rice" strategy.

Origin and Story of 舐糠及米

During the Western Han Dynasty, various vassal states disregarded the central government's orders and acted independently. The Imperial Censor-in-chief, Chao Cuo, suggested to Emperor Jing of Han that he reduce the territories of these vassal states to consolidate power in the central government.

Liu Bi, King of Wu and the most powerful vassal, ambitiously told other kings that reducing their territories was like "licking the husk and reaching the rice," implying a gradual takeover of their power. He then rallied them to revolt.

This event is historically known as the Rebellion of the Seven States.