正中下怀 — “To be exactly what one wishes for or hopes for”
正中下怀 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be exactly what one wishes for or hopes for”. To fall right into one's expectations or plans; to be just what one wants. Literally, “Precisely hit one's deepest desires”.
正中下怀 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 正zhèng
- 中zhòng
- 下xià
- 怀huái
正中下怀 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 正中下怀
Origin and Story of 正中下怀
The idiom '正中下怀' (zhèng zhòng xià huái) originates from the classic Chinese novel *Water Margin* (水浒传). After Lu Junyi returned from the outlaw stronghold of Liangshan Marsh, he was falsely accused and imprisoned by his wife and her lover, Li Gu. Yan Qing, a loyal follower, attempted to rescue him but was unsuccessful.
Later, Shi Xiu, another brave hero from Liangshan, known as the 'Desperate Third Lang,' bravely saved Lu Junyi from execution. However, outnumbered by the authorities, Shi Xiu also ended up being captured and imprisoned.
Liang Zhongshu, the Prefect of Daming Prefecture, was deeply concerned that Song Jiang and the other heroes from Liangshan would launch an attack to rescue their comrades and besiege the city. To buy time and avoid immediate confrontation, he ordered that Lu Junyi and Shi Xiu be put into death row but not executed immediately.
This decision was precisely what the jailer, old Cai Fu, had hoped for (正中下怀). He then discreetly managed to protect the two heroes, awaiting a chance for their complete liberation.
Idioms Related to 正中下怀
Synonyms of 正中下怀
More idioms starting with 正
- zhèng正zhōng中qí其huái怀exactly to one's liking
- zhèng正zhòng中jǐ己huái怀exactly what one desires
- zhèng正yì义lǐn凛rán然Righteous and awe-inspiring
- zhèng正rén人xiān先zhèng正jǐ己To set others right, first set oneself right
- zhèng正rén人jūn君zi子a hypocritical gentleman
- zhèng正ér儿bā八jīng经proper, earnest, and serious
- zhèng正ér儿bā巴jīng经serious and earnest
- zhèng正qí其yì谊bù不móu谋qí其lì利uphold righteousness, not seek gain
- zhèng正guàn冠lǐ李xià下avoid suspicion
- zhèng正guàn冠nà纳lǚ履avoid suspicion in sensitive situations
- zhèng正míng名dìng定fēn分rectify names and define status
- zhèng正míng名zé责shí实rectify names, demand substance
Questions about 正中下怀
- What does 正中下怀 mean?
- 正中下怀 (zhèng zhòng xià huái) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be exactly what one wishes for or hopes for”.
- How do you pronounce 正中下怀?
- 正中下怀 is pronounced zhèng zhòng xià huái in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 正中下怀 literally mean?
- Literally, 正中下怀 means “Precisely hit one's deepest desires”. It is used to mean “to be exactly what one wishes for or hopes for”.
- Where does 正中下怀 come from?
- 正中下怀 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 正中下怀?
- 正合自己的心意。