强词夺理 — “Twist words to snatch reason”
强词夺理 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to argue illogically and stubbornly, insisting on one's point despite being in the wrong; to resort to sophistry and twisted logic”. Literally, “Twist words to snatch reason”.
强词夺理 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 强qiǎng
- 词cí
- 夺duó
- 理lǐ
强词夺理 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 强词夺理
Origin and Story of 强词夺理
During the Warring States period, there was a high official named Gao Yangying in the State of Song who was notorious for his love of sophistry and his insistence on winning every argument, often resorting to twisted logic.
Once, when he planned to build a house, an experienced carpenter warned him against using wet timber for the main beams and pillars, explaining that it would inevitably lead to the house collapsing prematurely.
Gao Yangying, however, adamantly argued, using forceful words and flawed reasoning, that wet wood actually had benefits for construction. Ignoring the expert's advice, he proceeded with building the house using the wet timber.
True to the carpenter's prediction, the house crumbled and collapsed within a year.
Idioms Related to 强词夺理
Synonyms of 强词夺理
Antonyms of 强词夺理
More idioms starting with 强
- qiáng强bù不líng凌ruò弱The strong should not bully the weak
- qiáng强bù不líng凌ruò弱，，zhòng众bù不bào暴guǎ寡The strong should not bully the weak
- qiáng强bù不fàn犯ruò弱，，zhòng众bù不bào暴guǎ寡The strong should not bully the weak
- qiǎng强bù不zhī知yǐ以wéi为zhī知pretend to know what one doesn't
- qiáng强zhōng中gèng更yǒu有qiáng强zhōng中shǒu手There's always someone better
- qiáng强zhōng中zì自yǒu有qiáng强zhōng中shǒu手There is always someone stronger
- qiáng强wèi为huān欢xiào笑force a joyful smile
- qiǎng强mǎi买qiǎng强mài卖forceful buying and selling
- qiǎng强rén人suǒ所nán难force someone to do the impossible
- qiǎng强zuò作jiě解rén人feign understanding or expertise
- qiáng强zuò做jiě解rén人pretend to understand and explain
- qiáng强bīng兵fù富guó国strengthen military, enrich nation
Questions about 强词夺理
- What does 强词夺理 mean?
- 强词夺理 (qiǎng cí duó lǐ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to argue illogically and stubbornly, insisting on one's point despite being in the wrong; to resort to sophistry and twisted logic”.
- How do you pronounce 强词夺理?
- 强词夺理 is pronounced qiǎng cí duó lǐ in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 强词夺理 literally mean?
- Literally, 强词夺理 means “Twist words to snatch reason”. It is used to mean “to argue illogically and stubbornly, insisting on one's point despite being in the wrong; to resort to sophistry and twisted logic”.
- Where does 强词夺理 come from?
- 强词夺理 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 强词夺理?
- 强词：强辩；夺：争。指无理强辩，明明没理硬说有理。