Chinese idiom · 成语
毛遂自荐
Meaning
Mao Sui recommends himself; to volunteer boldly.
Character by character
Origin and story
historicalIn Shiji (史记), Lord Pingyuan prepares to seek Chu's help while Qin besieges Zhao's capital Handan. He wants twenty capable retainers to accompany him but finds only nineteen. Mao Sui steps forward to fill the remaining place. Pingyuan objects that genuine ability should already have revealed itself, like an awl's point showing through a bag; Mao has spent three unnoticed years in his household.
Mao replies that only now is he asking to be put in the bag: given an opportunity, more than the tip would emerge. Pingyuan takes him. In Chu, Mao's forceful intervention helps secure the alliance, and his patron acknowledges his worth. The idiom remembers the decisive first step—putting oneself forward instead of waiting to be selected.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
听说团队需要人做演示，她便毛遂自荐，接下了这个任务。
When she heard the team needed someone to give the demonstration, she volunteered and took on the task.
Emphasizes recommending oneself as capable of a role; commonly approving or politely self-introducing.