画地为牢 — “Draw a circle on the ground as a prison”
画地为牢 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to confine oneself within a self-imposed or externally designated boundary; to be restricted to a specific scope of activity, as if imprisoned within a drawn circle; to operate within narrow limits”. Literally, “Draw a circle on the ground as a prison”.
画地为牢 Pronunciation and Pinyin
画地为牢 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 画地为牢
Origin and Story of 画地为牢
During the Western Han Dynasty, General Li Ling suffered a defeat and surrendered to the Xiongnu. Emperor Wu was extremely angered by this.
However, Sima Qian argued that Li Ling had previously fought valiantly, causing such severe losses to the Xiongnu that they couldn't even attend to their wounded, making his forced surrender somewhat understandable. Incensed by Sima Qian's defense, Emperor Wu subjected him to the humiliating 'corrupt punishment' (castration).
Despite being severely punished and confined, metaphorically 'drawing a circle on the ground to serve as a prison' (画地为牢) by his circumstances and physical restraint, Sima Qian endured immense hardship and resolutely dedicated himself to completing his monumental historical work, 'Records of the Grand Historian'.
Idioms Related to 画地为牢
Synonyms of 画地为牢
Antonyms of 画地为牢
More idioms starting with 画
- huà画yī一zhī之fǎ法a uniform law or policy
- huà画zhōng中yǒu有shī诗poetry in painting
- huà画luǎn卵diāo雕xīn薪indulge in extreme extravagance
- huà画tǔ土fēn分jiāng疆divide and demarcate territory
- huà画dì地wéi为láo牢，，yì议bù不rù入confined by fear, dare not overstep
- huà画dì地wéi为yù狱，，shì势bù不rù入Tyrannical power creates insurmountable fear
- huà画dì地zuò作yù狱confine to a designated area
- huà画dì地kè刻mù木to be jailed and interrogated
- huà画dì地chéng成tú图demonstrate exceptional talent and skill
- huà画dì地chéng成láo牢Confine oneself to a limited scope
- huà画dì地ér而qū趋act within prescribed limits
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Open the tool →Questions about 画地为牢
What does 画地为牢 mean?
画地为牢 (huà dì wéi láo) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to confine oneself within a self-imposed or externally designated boundary; to be restricted to a specific scope of activity, as if imprisoned within a drawn circle; to operate within narrow limits”.
How do you pronounce 画地为牢?
画地为牢 is pronounced huà dì wéi láo in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 画地为牢 literally mean?
Literally, 画地为牢 means “Draw a circle on the ground as a prison”. It is used to mean “to confine oneself within a self-imposed or externally designated boundary; to be restricted to a specific scope of activity, as if imprisoned within a drawn circle; to operate within narrow limits”.
Where does 画地为牢 come from?
画地为牢 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 画地为牢?
在地上画一个圈当做监狱。比喻只许在指定的范围内活动。