惩羹吹齑 — “Having been scalded by hot soup, one blows on cold minced food”

The idiom '惩羹吹齑' (chěng gēng chuī jī) originates from a poem by Qu Yuan, a great patriotic poet and statesman of the Warring States period in ancient China. Qu Yuan served the state of Chu but was deeply troubled by its corrupt politics and King Huai's susceptibility to slander. He was eventually exiled due to his unwavering loyalty and proposals for reform and alliance against the powerful state of Qin.

During his exile, Qu Yuan poured his sorrow and love for his homeland into his immortal poems, such as the 'Jiu Zhang' (Nine Chapters). One of these, 'Xi Song' (惜诵), is believed to have been written when he was dismissed from his post for advocating an alliance with Qi. In 'Xi Song,' Qu Yuan expresses his unwavering loyalty through a dream dialogue with a great deity.

In this dream, after Qu Yuan laments his inability to reach heaven and asks for help, the deity responds with profound advice. The deity explains that while one might cherish a monarch, one should not place all hope in them, especially when surrounded by slanderous courtiers whose words can 'melt metal.' The deity then poses a rhetorical question, asking Qu Yuan why he doesn't change his stubborn resolve, comparing his situation to: '惩于羹而吹齑兮，何不变此志也？' which translates to 'Having been scalded by hot soup, you should now blow on cold minced food – why not change this persistent resolve?' The deity criticizes Qu Yuan for clinging to his old ways despite repeated setbacks, likening it to wanting to ascend to heaven but discarding the ladder.

This phrase, '惩羹吹齑,' literally means 'having been scalded by hot soup, one blows on cold minced food.' It became an idiom to describe someone who, having suffered a previous setback or learned a harsh lesson, becomes excessively cautious or apprehensive, even towards situations that pose no real threat, out of fear of repeating the past mistake.