吮痈舐痔 — “To flatter someone in a very servile, debasing, and groveling manner”
吮痈舐痔 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to flatter someone in a very servile, debasing, and groveling manner”. To stoop to undignified acts to curry favor. Literally, “Suck ulcers and lick hemorrhoids”.
吮痈舐痔 Pronunciation and Pinyin
吮痈舐痔 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 吮痈舐痔
Origin and Story of 吮痈舐痔
During the Warring States period, King Yan of Song dispatched Cao Shang as an envoy to Qin. Cao Shang, being eloquent and persuasive, gained the deep trust and favor of King Hui of Qin, who generously awarded him 100 chariots.
Upon his return, Cao Shang boasted to Zhuangzi about his success. Disapproving of Cao Shang's conduct, Zhuangzi commented, "The King of Qin would even reward those who help him suck ulcers and lick hemorrhoids; indeed, the dirtier the task, the more chariots he bestows."
Idioms Related to 吮痈舐痔
Synonyms of 吮痈舐痔
Antonyms of 吮痈舐痔
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Open the tool →Questions about 吮痈舐痔
What does 吮痈舐痔 mean?
吮痈舐痔 (shǔn yōng shì zhì) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to flatter someone in a very servile, debasing, and groveling manner”.
How do you pronounce 吮痈舐痔?
吮痈舐痔 is pronounced shǔn yōng shì zhì in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 吮痈舐痔 literally mean?
Literally, 吮痈舐痔 means “Suck ulcers and lick hemorrhoids”. It is used to mean “to flatter someone in a very servile, debasing, and groveling manner”.
Where does 吮痈舐痔 come from?
吮痈舐痔 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 吮痈舐痔?
吮：聚拢嘴唇来吸；痈：毒疮；舐：舔。只为人舔吸疮痔上的脓血。比喻卑劣地奉承人。