wading in deep water and treading on thin ice

wading in deep water and treading on thin ice

In Chinese, Pinyin is l í NSH ē NL ǚ B ó, which means facing the abyss and stepping on thin ice. It's a metaphor for being cautious, for fear of loss. From the book of songs Xiaoya Xiaomin.

Idiom usage

How can we not take it as a warning? The biography of Yang Zhongzhuan

The origin of Idioms

Xiaoya Xiaomin in the book of Songs: "trembling, like walking in the abyss, like walking on thin ice."

Idiom story

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, empress Ma of the Ming Dynasty was kind-hearted and profound. She liked Liu Ji, who was born to Jia Fei. Liu Jiong succeeded to the throne of emperor Zhang of Han Dynasty, respected Ma as empress dowager, and repeatedly proposed to seal Ma's brother, but Ma refused. While her nephew Ma Yu complains that he has not been given more favors, Yang Zhong advises Ma Liao to face the abyss, step on thin ice and not indulge his son.

Analysis of Idioms

Synonyms: cautious, nervous, conscientious Antonyms: bold, swaggering, fearless