背道而驰 — “To run in opposite directions”
背道而驰 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to run in opposite directions”. To be diametrically opposed; to act contrary to the original purpose or goal. Literally, “run counter to the path”.
背道而驰 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 背bèi
- 道dào
- 而ér
- 驰chí
背道而驰 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 背道而驰
Origin and Story of 背道而驰
During the Warring States period, Ji Liang, a minister of the Wei state, was dispatched as an envoy to another country. While on his journey, he heard news that King Wei was planning to attack Handan, the capital of Zhao state. He immediately hurried back to dissuade King Wei.
Upon his hasty return, Ji Liang said to King Wei, "While I was near Mount Taihang, I saw a man driving a chariot. He was heading north, claiming he was going to the State of Chu."
King Wei asked, "Chu is to the south, why was he going north?" Ji Liang replied, "I asked him the same thing! But he insisted that his horse was excellent and very fast, he had ample funds, and his coachman was highly skilled. Therefore, he felt he had nothing to worry about. He ignored my advice and continued his journey northward."
King Wei laughed heartily and said, "That man is crazy! Even with all his favorable conditions, if he's going in the wrong direction, how can he possibly reach his destination?"
Ji Liang then told King Wei, "Your Majesty's words are absolutely correct. However, if Your Majesty continues to attack neighboring states in this manner, your actions will lead you further and further away from your goal of achieving hegemony. Isn't this just like that man who insisted on traveling in the opposite direction?"
Idioms Related to 背道而驰
Synonyms of 背道而驰
Antonyms of 背道而驰
More idioms starting with 背
- bèi背zhǔ主qiú求róng荣betray master for glory
- bèi背yì义wàng忘ēn恩betray righteousness and forget favor
- bèi背yì义fù负xìn信betray righteousness and break faith
- bèi背yì义fù负ēn恩betray righteousness and be ungrateful
- bèi背xiāng乡lí离jǐng井Leave one's hometown to live elsewhere
- bèi背jǐng井lí离xiāng乡leave one's hometown to live elsewhere
- bèi背xìn信qì弃yì义betray trust and abandon righteousness
- bèi背xìn信fù负yì义betray trust and abandon righteousness
- bèi背gōng公xiàng向sī私put private interests above public duty
- bèi背gōng公yíng营sī私harm public for private gain
- bèi背qián前miàn面hòu后openly or behind one's back
- bèi背chéng城yī一zhàn战fight a decisive battle with no retreat
Questions about 背道而驰
- What does 背道而驰 mean?
- 背道而驰 (bèi dào ér chí) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to run in opposite directions”.
- How do you pronounce 背道而驰?
- 背道而驰 is pronounced bèi dào ér chí in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 背道而驰 literally mean?
- Literally, 背道而驰 means “run counter to the path”. It is used to mean “to run in opposite directions”.
- Where does 背道而驰 come from?
- 背道而驰 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 背道而驰?
- 背：背向；道：道路；驰：奔跑。朝相反的方向跑去。比喻彼此的方向和目的完全相反。