疾雷不及掩耳 — “As sudden as a peal of thunder, allowing no time to cover one's ears”
疾雷不及掩耳 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “as sudden as a peal of thunder, allowing no time to cover one's ears”. Indicating an event or action that occurs very suddenly, leaving no time for preparation or defense. Literally, “Swift thunder gives no time to cover ears”.
疾雷不及掩耳 Pronunciation and Pinyin
疾雷不及掩耳 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 疾雷不及掩耳
Origin and Story of 疾雷不及掩耳
During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao attacked Ma Chao and Han Sui in the Yellow River basin, defeating Ma Chao.
Ma Chao requested to cede land for peace, but Cao Cao refused.
After occupying Weikou and building fortifications, Cao Cao ostensibly agreed to peace talks while secretly gathering strength.
Then, with the suddenness of a clap of thunder (疾雷不及掩耳), he launched a surprise attack on Ma Chao, who was completely unprepared, routing him and forcing him to flee in defeat.
Idioms Related to 疾雷不及掩耳
Synonyms of 疾雷不及掩耳
More idioms starting with 疾
- jí疾bù不kě可wéi为beyond remedy
- jí疾zhī之rú如chóu仇hate like an enemy
- jí疾zhī之ruò若chóu仇detest as if an enemy
- jí疾shēng声lì厉sè色speak in a quick, harsh voice
- jí疾shēng声dà大hū呼shout loudly and urgently
- jí疾rú如xuán旋zhǒng踵swift as turning one's heel
- jí疾rú如léi雷diàn电as swift as thunder and lightning
- jí疾è恶hǎo好shàn善detest evil, love good
- jí疾wù恶rú如chóu仇hate evil like an enemy
- jí疾è恶rú如chóu雠detest evil like an enemy
- jí疾è恶rú如fēng风detest evil like a fierce wind
- jí疾è恶ruò若chóu仇hate evil like an enemy
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Open the tool →Questions about 疾雷不及掩耳
What does 疾雷不及掩耳 mean?
疾雷不及掩耳 (jí léi bù jí yǎn ěr) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “as sudden as a peal of thunder, allowing no time to cover one's ears”.
How do you pronounce 疾雷不及掩耳?
疾雷不及掩耳 is pronounced jí léi bù jí yǎn ěr in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 疾雷不及掩耳 literally mean?
Literally, 疾雷不及掩耳 means “Swift thunder gives no time to cover ears”. It is used to mean “as sudden as a peal of thunder, allowing no time to cover one's ears”.
Where does 疾雷不及掩耳 come from?
疾雷不及掩耳 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 疾雷不及掩耳?
突然响起雷声，使人来不及掩耳。比喻事情或动作来得突然，使人来不及防备。