强弩之末 — “An arrow shot from a powerful crossbow”
强弩之末 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “an arrow shot from a powerful crossbow”. Having reached the end of its flight, loses its force. This idiom is a metaphor for a once mighty force or influence that has greatly diminished and can no longer achieve its intended effect. Literally, “A powerful arrow at the end of its flight”.
强弩之末 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 强qiáng
- 弩nǔ
- 之zhī
- 末mò
强弩之末 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 强弩之末
Origin and Story of 强弩之末
During the sixth year of Emperor Wu of Western Han's Jianyuan era (135 BCE), the Xiongnu sought peace. Emperor Wu convened his ministers to discuss the matter.
Wang Hui, the Grand Minister, a native of Yan, had frequently served in border prefectures and was well-acquainted with the Xiongnu's situation. He suggested that although Han and Xiongnu had made peace treaties before, the Xiongnu usually broke them within a few years. He proposed that they should not agree to peace but instead dispatch troops to attack them.
Han Anguo responded, 'Sending troops thousands of li to fight is disadvantageous for our army. Moreover, the Xiongnu now rely on their abundant cavalry, possessing a beast-like nature, moving like flocks of birds, making them difficult to control. Even if we gain their land, it's not worth considering it an expansion of our territory; possessing their people is not worth considering it a strengthening of our power. Since ancient times, they have never genuinely submitted to the Han. If the Han army travels thousands of li to contend for gains, both men and horses will be exhausted. The enemy, well-rested, will take advantage of our fatigue to win.
Furthermore, even a powerful crossbow's arrow, at the very end of its flight, cannot pierce the thinnest white silk produced in Lu; even a strong wind, in its final moments, cannot lift a goose feather. It is not that their initial power was insufficient, but rather that by the end, their strength had waned. Therefore, sending troops to attack the Xiongnu is truly disadvantageous. It would be better to make peace with them.'
Most of the attending ministers agreed with Han Anguo, and thus the Emperor decided to agree to peace with the Xiongnu.
Idioms Related to 强弩之末
Synonyms of 强弩之末
Antonyms of 强弩之末
More idioms starting with 强
- qiáng强bù不líng凌ruò弱The strong should not bully the weak
- qiáng强bù不líng凌ruò弱，，zhòng众bù不bào暴guǎ寡The strong should not bully the weak
- qiáng强bù不fàn犯ruò弱，，zhòng众bù不bào暴guǎ寡The strong should not bully the weak
- qiǎng强bù不zhī知yǐ以wéi为zhī知pretend to know what one doesn't
- qiáng强zhōng中gèng更yǒu有qiáng强zhōng中shǒu手There's always someone better
- qiáng强zhōng中zì自yǒu有qiáng强zhōng中shǒu手There is always someone stronger
- qiáng强wèi为huān欢xiào笑force a joyful smile
- qiǎng强mǎi买qiǎng强mài卖forceful buying and selling
- qiǎng强rén人suǒ所nán难force someone to do the impossible
- qiǎng强zuò作jiě解rén人feign understanding or expertise
- qiáng强zuò做jiě解rén人pretend to understand and explain
- qiáng强bīng兵fù富guó国strengthen military, enrich nation
Questions about 强弩之末
- What does 强弩之末 mean?
- 强弩之末 (qiáng nǔ zhī mò) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “an arrow shot from a powerful crossbow”.
- How do you pronounce 强弩之末?
- 强弩之末 is pronounced qiáng nǔ zhī mò in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 强弩之末 literally mean?
- Literally, 强弩之末 means “a powerful arrow at the end of its flight”. It is used to mean “an arrow shot from a powerful crossbow”.
- Where does 强弩之末 come from?
- 强弩之末 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 强弩之末?
- 强弩所发的矢，飞行已达末程。比喻强大的力量已经衰弱，起不了什么作用。