枉突徙薪 — “To take precautions”

枉突徙薪 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to take precautions”. To prevent trouble before it happens; to remove potential dangers. Literally, “bend the chimney and move the firewood”.

Frequency

枉突徙薪 Pronunciation and Pinyin

枉突徙薪 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
枉	wǎng	8	in vain
突	tū	9	sudden break through
徙	xǐ	11	migrate, move, banish
薪	xīn	16	Firewood for passing on tradition

Example Sentence with 枉突徙薪

在项目开始前，我们应该全面评估风险，提前做好准备，这才是真正的枉突徙薪。

Before the project officially starts, we should thoroughly assess the risks and prepare in advance; this is the true essence of taking precautions.

Origin and Story of 枉突徙薪

Once upon a time, a man visited his friend's house. He noticed that the chimney of his friend's stove was built straight up, and a pile of dry firewood was stacked right in front of it. He advised the host to bend the chimney and move the firewood away. The host, however, did not take his advice.

Not long after, a fire indeed broke out, but fortunately, the neighbors quickly came to put it out. The host slaughtered an ox to thank the neighbors for their help.

The neighbors, however, replied that the one who should be thanked was the person who had offered the initial advice.