剑及屦及 — “To act with great speed and resolution”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 剑及屦及?

屦：鞋；及：赶上。形容行动坚决迅速。

剑及屦及 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to act with great speed and resolution”. To be swift and decisive in one's actions, often implying a sense of urgency or eagerness. Literally, “Sword reaches, shoes reach”.

Frequency

剑及屦及 Pronunciation and Pinyin

剑及屦及 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
剑	jiàn	9	ancient long-bladed weapon
及	jí	4	reach, and, in time
屦	jù	15	ancient humble footwear
及	jí	4	reach, and, in time

Example Sentence with 剑及屦及

接到紧急通知后，他剑及屦及地赶往现场。

Upon receiving the urgent notice, he rushed to the scene with great speed and determination.

Origin and Story of 剑及屦及

During the Spring and Autumn period, King Zhuang of Chu sent his envoy Shen Zhou to visit the State of Qi. Shen Zhou, however, passed through the State of Song without their permission and was subsequently killed by the people of Song.

Upon learning of this incident, King Zhuang was furious and immediately mobilized his army. In September of that year, he dispatched troops to besiege the State of Song.

So eager was he to avenge Shen Zhou that he rushed out quickly. The attendant carrying his shoes could only catch up with him at the bedroom door, and the attendant carrying his sword finally caught him outside the bedroom gate.