相濡相呴 | Mutually help each other in dire straits

xiāng相rú濡xiāng相xǔ呴

To help each other out of mutual difficulty, especially when both are in dire straits, often implying a shared struggle and reliance.

在公司最困难的时候，大家不计较个人得失，相濡相呴，终于渡过了难关。

During the company's most challenging period, everyone disregarded personal gains and losses, providing mutual support and eventually overcoming the difficulties together.

Era:

Ancient

Frequency:

Synonym:

相呴相濡、相濡以沫

Story:

During the Warring States period, Zhuangzi lived in extreme poverty, often not having enough food for the next meal. His wife urged him to borrow grain, so he went to Jianhe Hou (the Marquis of Jianhe) for help.

Jianhe Hou promised to lend him grain after the autumn harvest. Zhuangzi remarked that 'distant water cannot quench immediate thirst' and returned home.

His wife then asked him to seek help elsewhere. Zhuangzi replied that they should live like the carp in a dried-up rut, 'mutually moistening each other with their saliva' to survive.

Hearing this, his wife could only weep secretly, understanding their dire situation and the need for mutual support.

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