不胫而走 spread like wildfire
Explanation
比喻消息、事情传布迅速,无需推行。
It is a metaphor for the rapid spread of news or events without the need for promotion or dissemination.
Origin Story
东汉末年,名士孔融写信给曹操推荐他的朋友盛孝章。信中写道:“珠玉没有腿也能自己送到你这里来,是因为人们喜爱它;何况有才能的人呢?”孔融这番话,意思是说,像盛孝章这样有才能的人,名声自然会传开,曹操一定会想办法把他招揽到自己手下。果然,孔融的这封信,不胫而走,迅速传遍了整个社会,曹操也知道了盛孝章,不久就派人将他请到了自己的府上。
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the famous scholar Kong Rong wrote a letter to Cao Cao to recommend his friend Sheng Xiaozhang. The letter wrote: "Jade and pearls have no legs, but they can still reach you by themselves, because people love them; how much more so people with ability?" Kong Rong's words meant that Sheng Xiaozhang, with his abilities, would have a good reputation, and Cao Cao would surely want to take him under his wings. In fact, Kong Rong’s letter spread rapidly and widely, even Cao Cao heard of it, and soon sent someone to invite Sheng Xiaozhang to his mansion.
Usage
常用来形容消息、事件传播迅速,不需人为干预。
Often used to describe how quickly news or events spread without human intervention.
Examples
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这个消息不胫而走,很快传遍了全城。
zhege xiaoxi bu jing er zou, hen kuai chuan bian le quan cheng.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the city.
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谣言像长了翅膀一样,不胫而走,让人防不胜防。
yaoyan xiang zhang le chibang yiyang, bu jing er zou, rang ren fang bu sheng fang
Rumors spread like wildfire, making it difficult to guard against them