Chinese idiom · 成语
披荆斩棘
Meaning
To cut through thorns; to overcome obstacles bravely.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountThe Hou Hanshu biography of Feng Yi records Emperor Guangwu praising an old companion before his ministers. Feng had served Liu Xiu from his early uprising and helped secure Guanzhong. When Feng visited the capital, the emperor called him the secretary who had cleared thorny obstacles for him and pacified that region.
The earlier account includes accusations that Feng had become too powerful, followed by the emperor's reassurance of trust. Thus the praise recognizes difficult service and loyalty. Its original wording is 披荆棘, with the later idiom adding 斩. The thorns represent the dangers of establishing rule, rather than an account of settlers physically clearing a forest.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
团队一路披荆斩棘，终于把这个小项目做成了稳定的服务。
The team overcame obstacle after obstacle and finally turned the little project into a reliable service.
Praises determined progress through substantial obstacles.