Chinese idiom · 成语
高屋建瓴
Meaning
To pour from a high roof; to hold an advantageous position.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountShiji (史記), Gaozu Benji (高祖本紀), records Tian Ken congratulating Liu Bang after Han Xin’s capture and discussing the advantages of the Qin region. Protected by mountains and rivers and strategically placed, it provides a strong base for deploying forces against other regional powers. Tian compares that movement to pouring water from a vessel on top of a high building.
The force comes from position and direction: water released from above descends readily. This is a strategic analogy in a political conversation, not an account of soldiers literally throwing water from roofs. The idiom later describes a commanding advantage or an elevated position from which matters can be directed.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
她先从整体规划谈起，高屋建瓴地指出了各部门需要配合的地方。
Starting with the overall plan, she took a broad strategic view and identified where departments needed to coordinate.
Formal praise for a commanding overall perspective; originally strategic superiority.