短兵相接 — “To engage in close-quarters combat (literally)”
短兵相接 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to engage in close-quarters combat (literally)”. To have a direct, intense confrontation or struggle (figuratively, as in a debate or negotiation). Literally, “Engage with short weapons; short weapons in contact”.
短兵相接 Pronunciation and Pinyin
短兵相接 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 短兵相接
Origin and Story of 短兵相接
During the Warring States period, Qu Yuan, a poet from the State of Chu, wrote 'Jiu Ge' (Nine Songs) to passionately praise and commemorate warriors who sacrificed their lives for the country, extolling their loyalty and resolve.
The poem includes lines: 'Wielding Wu spears, clad in rhino armor, chariots clashing hub to hub, short weapons engaging. Banners obscure the sun, enemies like clouds, arrows fall like rain, soldiers vie for glory.'
Idioms Related to 短兵相接
Synonyms of 短兵相接
Antonyms of 短兵相接
More idioms starting with 短
- duǎn短zhōng中qǔ取cháng长make the best of a limited selection
- duǎn短bīng兵jiē接zhàn战engage in close-quarters combat
- duǎn短dāo刀zhí直rù入get straight to the point
- duǎn短tàn叹cháng长xū吁to sigh and lament repeatedly
- duǎn短xū吁cháng长tàn叹sighing repeatedly and deeply
- duǎn短chī吃shǎo少chuān穿short of food and clothing
- duǎn短yuán垣zì自yú逾willfully transgress established norms
- duǎn短shòu寿cù促mìng命to die young
- duǎn短xiǎo小jīng精gàn干small, capable, and efficient
- duǎn短xiǎo小jīng精hàn悍short, capable, and powerful
- duǎn短píng平kuài快low investment, short duration, quick results
- duǎn短jīn斤shǎo少liǎng两give short measure
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Open the tool →Questions about 短兵相接
What does 短兵相接 mean?
短兵相接 (duǎn bīng xiāng jiē) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to engage in close-quarters combat (literally)”.
How do you pronounce 短兵相接?
短兵相接 is pronounced duǎn bīng xiāng jiē in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 短兵相接 literally mean?
Literally, 短兵相接 means “Engage with short weapons; short weapons in contact”. It is used to mean “to engage in close-quarters combat (literally)”.
Where does 短兵相接 come from?
短兵相接 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 短兵相接?
短兵：刀剑等短兵器；接：交战。指近距离搏斗。比喻面对面地进行激烈的斗争。