含沙射影 — “To make veiled accusations or insinuations against someone”
含沙射影 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make veiled accusations or insinuations against someone”. To attack or harm someone indirectly and maliciously. Literally, “Holding sand and shooting at shadows”.
Frequency
含沙射影 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 含hán
- 沙shā
- 射shè
- 影yǐng
含沙射影 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 含沙射影
他常常在背后含沙射影地批评同事，而不是直接沟通。
He often criticizes his colleagues by insinuation behind their backs, rather than communicating directly.
Origin and Story of 含沙射影
According to ancient legends, there was a creature in the water called 'Yu' (蜮). It resembled a turtle, but had only three legs and a powerful, bow-shaped muscle in its mouth.
Whenever it saw a person or their shadow passing by on land or water, it would spray sand. Those who were hit by this sand would fall gravely ill, suffering immense pain, and in severe cases, it could even lead to death.
Due to its harmful nature, people generally tried to avoid it if they ever spotted one.
Idioms Related to 含沙射影
Synonyms of 含沙射影
Antonyms of 含沙射影
More idioms starting with 含
- hán含rén仁huái怀yì义possess virtues of benevolence and righteousness
- hán含yuān冤shòu受qū屈suffer a wrongful grievance
- hán含yuān冤mò莫bái白suffer injustice with no redress
- hán含yuān冤fù负qū屈suffer a great injustice
- hán含bīng冰rú茹bò檗live austerely with integrity
- hán含hán含hú糊hú糊to be vague or ambiguous
- hán含bǔ哺ér而xī熙，，gǔ鼓fù腹ér而yóu游living a peaceful, well-fed, carefree life
- hán含bǔ哺gǔ鼓fù腹live a carefree and prosperous life
- hán含shāng商jǔ咀zhēng征deeply engrossed in beautiful music
- hán含shāng商jǔ咀zhǐ徵savoring beautiful music or eloquent speech
- hán含gòu垢bāo包xiū羞bear shame and humiliation
- hán含gòu垢nì匿xiá瑕Tolerate faults and overlook defects
Questions about 含沙射影
- What does 含沙射影 mean?
- 含沙射影 (hán shā shè yǐng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make veiled accusations or insinuations against someone”.
- How do you pronounce 含沙射影?
- 含沙射影 is pronounced hán shā shè yǐng in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 含沙射影 literally mean?
- Literally, 含沙射影 means “Holding sand and shooting at shadows”. It is used to mean “to make veiled accusations or insinuations against someone”.
- Where does 含沙射影 come from?
- 含沙射影 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 含沙射影?
- 传说一种叫蜮的动物，在水中含沙喷射人的影子，使人生病。比喻暗中攻击或陷害人。