抱残守缺 — “To cling to old and outdated things”
抱残守缺 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to cling to old and outdated things”. To be conservative in thought and unwilling to change or improve. Literally, “Embrace the broken, guard the incomplete”.
抱残守缺 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 抱bào
- 残cán
- 守shǒu
- 缺quē
抱残守缺 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 抱残守缺
Origin and Story of 抱残守缺
During the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Xin, the younger son of the famous litterateur Liu Xiang, served as a Cavalry Commandant and Grand Master of Remonstrance with the Rank of Chief Official of the Imperial Carriages under Emperor Ai. He suggested to Emperor Ai that specialists should be appointed to study the "Zuo Zhuan" (Zuo Commentary).
His contemporaries were highly displeased with this proposal. Liu Xin then criticized them for being rigid and "baocanshouque," meaning they were adhering to old conventions and clinging to outdated things.
Consequently, he was collectively ostracized from the capital by his peers and had no alternative but to take on the post of Administrator of Henei Commandery.
This idiom describes someone who stubbornly holds onto old, incomplete, or outworn ideas or methods, signifying a conservative mindset that resists innovation and improvement.
Idioms Related to 抱残守缺
Synonyms of 抱残守缺
Antonyms of 抱残守缺
More idioms starting with 抱
- bào抱bù不píng平to stand up against injustice
- bào抱lìng令shǒu守lǜ律rigidly adhere to rules
- bào抱fó佛jiǎo脚make a hasty last-minute effort
- bào抱guān关jī击tuò柝hold a humble, lowly position
- bào抱guān关zhí执yuè籥Hold a humble gatekeeper position
- bào抱guān关zhí执yuè钥serve as a gatekeeper
- bào抱bīng冰gōng公shì事arduous unrewarding public service
- bào抱tóu头dà大kū哭weep bitterly and uncontrollably
- bào抱tóu头tòng痛kū哭weep bitterly in each other's arms
- bào抱tóu头suō缩xiàng项cower in fear
- bào抱tóu头shǔ鼠cuàn窜flee in a panic
- bào抱zǐ子nòng弄sūn孙enjoying old age with children and grandchildren
Questions about 抱残守缺
- What does 抱残守缺 mean?
- 抱残守缺 (bào cán shǒu quē) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to cling to old and outdated things”.
- How do you pronounce 抱残守缺?
- 抱残守缺 is pronounced bào cán shǒu quē in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 抱残守缺 literally mean?
- Literally, 抱残守缺 means “Embrace the broken, guard the incomplete”. It is used to mean “to cling to old and outdated things”.
- Where does 抱残守缺 come from?
- 抱残守缺 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 抱残守缺?
- 抱着残缺陈旧的东西不放。形容思想保守，不求改进。