浮光掠影

Origin and story

The dictionary tentatively traces this expression to volume 5 of Feng Ban's Dun Yin Za Lu. Discussing Yan Yu's Canglang writings on poetry, Feng argues that their insights only seem convincing: they skim the surface without finding firm ground. His wording uses lüe written 略, an interchangeable character here, rather than the modern 掠.

Reflected light and a passing shadow cannot be grasped deeply, making them apt images for an impression that remains superficial. This is an argument within literary criticism, not a story about a traveler watching scenery. The idiom later broadened to cursory observation, shallow discussion, or an indistinct passing impression.