反水不收 | irreversible, like spilled water

fǎn反shuǐ水bù不shōu收

Describes a situation or action that is irreversible, much like spilled water that cannot be collected back.

他已经辞职，并且公开表达了不满，现在想要挽回局面已是反水不收了

He has already resigned and publicly expressed his dissatisfaction; now, trying to reverse the situation is like trying to retrieve spilled water.

Era:

Ancient

Frequency:

Synonym:

覆水难收

Story:

During the Shang Dynasty, Jiang Shang (also known as Jiang Taigong) was exceptionally learned and skilled in military strategy. However, due to his poverty, his wife, Ma Shi, left him, believing he was old and had no prospects.

He then built a thatched hut by the Wei River and lived by fishing.

Later, King Wen of Zhou recognized his talent and appointed him as his national tutor. Jiang Taigong assisted King Wen in overthrowing the Shang Dynasty.

After his success, his former wife, Ma Shi, sought to reunite with him. Jiang Taigong took a basin of water, poured it on the ground, and told her that if she could collect all the spilled water, they would reconcile.

This illustrated the irreversible nature of their separation, just like spilled water cannot be recovered.

Next Idiom