忧心如焚 be anxious like being burned by fire
Explanation
形容内心焦虑不安，像火烧一样难受。
Describes inner anxiety and restlessness, a feeling like burning fire.
Origin Story
公元前781年，周幽王继位，他骄奢淫逸，昏庸无道，大肆增加赋税，使得百姓生活困苦不堪，流离失所。大臣召公看到这种局面，忧心如焚，他多次上书劝谏周幽王，希望他能够体恤民情，减轻赋税，让百姓得以休养生息。然而，周幽王却对他的劝谏置之不理，继续我行我素，最终导致了周朝的衰亡。召公的忧虑并非杞人忧天，他的担忧最终变成了现实，也成为了后世统治者的一面镜子。
In 781 BC, King You of Zhou ascended the throne. He was extravagant and ruled badly, excessively increasing taxes, making the people's lives unbearable and causing displacement. Minister Zhao Gong was very worried about this situation, and wrote many letters to advise King You to consider the people’s feelings, reduce taxes, and allow them to recover and live peacefully. However, King You ignored his advice and continued as before, which ultimately led to the fall of the Zhou Dynasty. Zhao Gong's worry was not unfounded. His concerns became reality and served as a warning to future rulers.
Usage
用于形容极度忧虑和焦虑的心情。
Used to describe an extremely anxious and worried mood.
Examples
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听到这个噩耗，他忧心如焚，整夜都没合眼。
tingdao zhege ehao, ta youxinrufén, zhengye dou mei heyany.
Upon hearing the terrible news, he was extremely worried and couldn't sleep all night.
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国家面临危机，领导人忧心如焚，日夜操劳。
guojia miànlin weiji, lingdaoren youxinrufén, riye caolao.
The country is facing a crisis, the leaders are very worried and are working day and night.