大放厥词 — “To make lengthy, often verbose or bombastic pronouncements”

The idiom "Dà Fàng Jué Cí" idiom originates from a tribute written by the famous Tang Dynasty literary figure Han Yu to his contemporary, the great writer Liu Zongyuan.

Liu Zongyuan, whose courtesy name was Zihou, was a diligent student from an early age, and his poetry and prose were highly praised even when he was just ten years old. In 793, at the age of 21, Liu Zongyuan passed the imperial examination, becoming a Jinshi. At 26, he was appointed Zhengzi (corrector of texts) in the Jixian Hall Academy, where he was responsible for compiling and organizing books for the Tang court, which provided him with extensive opportunities to read various literary works. He was a proponent of political reform and actively participated in the reformist movement led by Wang Shuwen. However, the reform failed, leading to Liu Zongyuan's demotion. He was first exiled as a Sima to Yongzhou (modern-day Lingling County in Hunan) for ten years, and then further demoted to Cishi (prefect) of Liuzhou (modern-day Liuzhou City in Guangxi). He passed away in Liuzhou in 819, at the age of 47.

Liu Zongyuan's literary contributions were diverse and profound. His short fables were concise, sharp, and rich in meaning. His landscape travelogues were vivid and colorful, while his argumentative essays were meticulously reasoned and well-organized. His poetic style was clear, subtle, and finely crafted.

In 820, the year after Liu Zongyuan's death, Han Yu penned an elegy titled "Jì Liǔ Zǐhòu Wén" (祭柳子厚文 - Elegy for Liu Zihou). In this work, to commend Liu Zongyuan's exceptional literary talent and eloquence, Han Yu wrote: "玉佩琼琚，大放厥词。" This phrase metaphorically describes Liu Zongyuan's writing as being as beautiful and pure as jade pendants and splendid jewels, elaborately showcasing his brilliant rhetorical skills and allowing his words to flow freely and magnificently.