万箭攒心 A thousand arrows pierce the heart
Explanation
形容内心痛苦到了极点，像无数支箭射在心上一样。
Describes extreme inner pain, as if countless arrows were piercing the heart.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，边关告急，大将李靖率兵出征。一场恶战之后，李靖的爱子李元霸在战场上不幸身亡，噩耗传来，李靖悲痛欲绝，仿佛万箭攒心，心如刀绞。他强忍悲痛，继续指挥作战，最终取得了战争的胜利，为儿子报了仇。然而，这万箭攒心的痛楚却永远刻在了他的心头，难以磨灭。多年以后，李靖退役回乡，每每想起元霸，仍是万箭攒心，泪流满面。这段故事也因此流传至今，成为万箭攒心一词的最佳写照。
During the Tang Dynasty, the border was attacked, and General Li Jing led his troops to war. After a fierce battle, Li Jing’s beloved son Li Yuanba died on the battlefield. When the news came, Li Jing was heartbroken. He felt like a thousand arrows were piercing his heart. Despite his grief, he continued to command his troops and finally won the war. Yet, the pain lingered in his heart forever.
Usage
作谓语、宾语；形容内心痛苦到了极点。
Used as a predicate or object; to describe extreme inner pain.
Examples
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他听到这个噩耗，感觉像万箭攒心一样难受。
tā tīng dào zhège èghào, gǎnjué xiàng wànjiàn cuánxīn yīyàng nánshòu
He felt as if a thousand arrows were piercing his heart when he heard the bad news.
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得知父亲去世的消息后，他万箭攒心，悲痛欲绝。
dézhī fùqīn qùshì de xiāoxi hòu, tā wànjiàn cuánxīn, bēitòng yùjué
Upon hearing of his father's death, he was heartbroken, as if pierced by a thousand arrows