Chinese idiom · 成语
一鼓作气
Meaning
To muster energy in one burst; to seize momentum.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountZuo Zhuan (左傳), Duke Zhuang’s tenth year, describes Cao Gui accompanying the duke of Lu into battle against Qi at Changshao. Cao Gui prevents an immediate attack and waits until Qi has sounded its drums three times. Only then does he permit Lu’s advance. After victory, he explains that the first drum call raises courage, the second weakens it, and the third exhausts it: Lu’s fresh spirit had faced Qi’s spent energy.
He also checks tracks and flags before allowing pursuit, wary of an ambush. The idiom now means completing an effort while momentum is strong, but its original context combines timing and observation rather than unthinking haste.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
趁思路清楚，我一鼓作气把报告的初稿写完了。
While my ideas were clear, I carried the momentum through and finished the report’s first draft.
Use for a sustained push that completes something before energy fades.