投笔从戎 throw down the pen and join the army
Explanation
投笔从戎的意思是扔掉笔去参军，指文人从军，后泛指放弃文职工作，转而从军。这个成语出自《后汉书·班超传》，形容有志者，不畏艰险，敢于为国家做出贡献。
"Throwing down the pen and joining the army" means to give up writing and join the army. It refers to a scholar joining the military, and later it is generally used to describe giving up a civilian career in favor of military service. This idiom comes from the "Book of the Later Han" and describes an ambitious person who is not afraid of danger and is willing to make contributions to his country.
Origin Story
东汉初期，班超出身贫寒，靠帮官府抄写文件为生，供养年迈的母亲。但他心中壮志难酬，总觉得这样碌碌无为，浪费时间。有一天，他听到匈奴入侵边疆的消息，内心十分愤慨，便把手中的笔扔到地上，毅然决然地报名参军。他凭着过人的胆识和能力，在战场上屡立战功，最终成为了一名赫赫有名的将军。班超的故事告诉我们，一个有志之人，即使身处逆境，也要敢于挑战自我，实现人生价值。
In the early Eastern Han Dynasty, Ban Chao was from a poor family and made a living by copying documents for the government to support his elderly mother. But he was dissatisfied with his life and felt that he was wasting his time. One day, he heard news of the Xiongnu invading the border and was very angry. He threw his pen on the ground and volunteered for military service. With his extraordinary courage and ability, he won many battles and eventually became a famous general. The story of Ban Chao teaches us that a person with ambition, even in difficult times, must have the courage to challenge himself and realize his value in life.
Usage
投笔从戎用来形容有抱负的人放弃安逸，投身军旅，为国家效力。
"Throwing down the pen and joining the army" is used to describe a person with ambition who gives up comfort and joins the military to serve their country.
Examples
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他为了梦想，毅然投笔从戎，加入了军队。
ta wei le mengxiang, yiran toubi cong rong, jia ru le jundui.
He resolutely threw down his pen and joined the army for his dream.
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为了保家卫国，他毫不犹豫地投笔从戎，奔赴战场。
wei le baojia weiguo, ta haobushengyou di toubi cong rong, benfu zhanchang.
To defend his country, he unhesitatingly threw down his pen and joined the army to go to the battlefield.
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他放弃了安逸的生活，投笔从戎，投身革命。
ta fangqi le anyi de shenghuo, toubi cong rong, toushen geming.
He gave up his comfortable life and joined the army to join the revolution.