It is believed that individuals with the highest moral character and strongest capabilities should undertake tasks with tremendous momentum and become widely renowned. A person possessing noble ethics, lofty ideals, and exceptional skills ought to accomplish great, earth-shattering achievements.

During the Ming Dynasty, Lang Ying articulated in his work 'Qixiu Leigao' (七修类稿): 'When an imperial censor first arrives, their presence is described as 'startling heaven and shaking earth' (惊天动地); after a few months, it becomes 'confounding heaven and darkening earth' (错天黑地); and upon their departure, it is 'silent heaven and desolate earth' (寞天寂地).'

This anecdote illustrates the idiom's use to depict the initial, grand impact of an event or person, which may then diminish over time.