一以贯之 yī yǐ guàn zhī to carry through to the end

Explanation

指用一个根本性的事理贯通事情的始末或全部的道理，比喻做事要有始终如一的毅力，坚持到底。

To use a fundamental principle to connect the beginning and end of a matter, or all the principles, metaphorically to illustrate the perseverance to do something with perseverance and to persevere to the end.

Origin Story

战国时期，孟子是战国时期著名的思想家，他主张“仁义礼智信”五常，认为这是治理国家和做人的根本之道。有一天，孟子遇见一位弟子，问他：“你听说过我关于仁义礼智信的道理吗？”弟子答道：“听说过，听说过。”孟子接着问道：“你是否能够把这些道理贯通起来，用于自己的生活和行为中？”弟子答道：“能够，能够。”孟子说：“很好，你能够一以贯之，才能真正地领会我的思想。”

zhàn guó shí qī, mèng zǐ shì zhàn guó shí qī zhù míng de sī xiǎng jiā, tā zhǔ zhāng “rén yì lǐ zhì xìn” wǔ cháng, rèn wéi zhè shì zhì lí guó jiā hé zuò rén de gēn běn zhī dào. yǒu yī tiān, mèng zǐ yù jiàn yī wèi dì zǐ, wèn tā: “nǐ tīng shuō guò wǒ guān yú rén yì lǐ zhì xìn de dào lǐ ma？” dì zǐ dá dào: “tīng shuō guò, tīng shuō guò.” mèng zǐ jiē zhe wèn dào: “nǐ shì fǒu néng gòu bǎ zhè xiē dào lǐ guàn tōng qǐ lái, yòng yú zì jǐ de shēng huó hé xíng wéi zhōng？” dì zǐ dá dào: “néng gòu, néng gòu.” mèng zǐ shuō: “hěn hǎo, nǐ néng gòu yī yǐ guàn zhī, cái néng zhēn zhèng de lǐng huì wǒ de sī xiǎng.”

During the Warring States period, Mencius was a famous thinker. He advocated for the „five constants“ – „仁义礼智信“ – and believed that these were the fundamental principles for governing the country and living as a human being. One day, Mencius met a disciple and asked him: „Have you heard about my understanding of 仁义礼智信?“ The disciple replied: „Yes, yes, I have heard of it.“ Mencius continued: „Can you penetrate these principles and integrate them into your life and behavior?“ The disciple replied: „Yes, I can.“ Mencius said: „Good, if you can do it consistently, you will truly understand my thoughts.“

Usage

这个成语一般用于形容一个人坚持自己的想法或目标，并始终如一地贯彻到底，也可以用来形容一项政策或计划的贯彻实施。

zhè ge chéng yǔ yī bān yòng yú xíng róng yī ge rén jiān chí zì jǐ de xiǎng fǎ huò mù biāo, bìng shǐ zhōng rú yī de guàn chè dào dǐ, yě kě yǐ yòng lái xíng róng yī xiàng zhèng cè huò jì huà de guàn chè shí shī.

This idiom is generally used to describe someone who adheres to their ideas or goals and consistently implements them. It can also be used to describe the implementation of a policy or plan.

Examples

• 他始终坚持自己的信念，一以贯之，不为外界干扰所动。

  tā shǐ zhōng jiān chí zì jǐ de xìn niàn, yī yǐ guàn zhī, bù wéi wài jiè gān rǎo suǒ dòng.

  He has always adhered to his beliefs, consistently, not swayed by external interference.

• 这项改革方案要一以贯之，才能取得最终的成功。

  zhè xiàng gǎi gé fāng ān yào yī yǐ guàn zhī, cái néng qǔ dé zuì zhōng de chéng gōng.

  This reform program needs to be implemented consistently to achieve ultimate success.

• 学习要一以贯之，不能三天打鱼两天晒网。

  xué xí yào yī yǐ guàn zhī, bù néng sān tiān dǎ yú liǎng tiān shài wǎng.

  Learning should be consistent, not three days fishing and two days drying nets.

Related Idioms

• 始终如一

• 有始有终

• 善始善终

Opposite Idioms

• 虎头蛇尾

• 有始无终