Chinese idiom · 成语
磨刀霍霍
Meaning
Sharpening knives noisily; gearing up to attack or compete aggressively.
Character by character
Origin and story
Legendary narrative poemThe phrase occurs in the Ballad of Mulan, preserved in the Yuefu Shiji. After years away on military service in her father's place, Mulan chooses to return home. Her parents go out to meet her, her elder sister dresses for the occasion, and her younger brother sharpens a knife to slaughter pigs and sheep for the welcome feast. 霍霍 evokes the sound of sharpening.
In this scene, the knife belongs to joyful household preparations. Later writers use the same vivid image for getting ready to attack or act aggressively. The idiom's threatening modern associations should therefore be distinguished from the celebratory homecoming in the poem.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
决赛还没开始，两支队伍已经磨刀霍霍，准备争夺冠军。
The final has not started, but both teams are already gearing up fiercely to compete for the championship.
Often figurative and dramatic; can describe competitive preparations without literal violence.