投鞭断流 throw whip to break the flow
Explanation
形容兵力众多，势不可挡。比喻力量强大，足以克服一切困难。
Describes a large number of soldiers whose power is unstoppable. It compares strength to the ability to overcome all difficulties.
Origin Story
东晋时期，前秦皇帝苻坚率领百万大军南下伐晋，意图一举消灭东晋政权。在一次朝会上，大臣们就出兵伐晋的问题展开激烈讨论。一部分大臣认为东晋地势险要，且有长江天险阻隔，难以攻克；而另一部分大臣则对秦军的强大充满信心，认为兵力众多，足以克服一切困难。苻坚听后，豪迈地说：‘以吾之众旅，投鞭于江，足断其流。’这句话的意思是：我们这么多军队，只要把马鞭扔进长江，就能把江水截断。这充分体现了苻坚对秦军实力的自信，以及他轻敌冒进的战略决策。然而，淝水之战的结果却狠狠地打了苻坚的脸，秦军大败，苻坚的‘投鞭断流’之梦也随之破碎，成为历史上的一个笑柄。
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Fu Jian, the emperor of the Former Qin Dynasty, led a million-strong army south to attack Jin, intending to eliminate the Eastern Jin regime in one fell swoop. At a court meeting, officials debated fiercely about the issue of launching a military campaign against Jin. Some officials believed that the Eastern Jin Dynasty's geographical position was advantageous, and the Yangtze River served as an insurmountable obstacle. Others, however, were confident in the strength of the Qin army, believing that its numerical superiority was enough to overcome any difficulty. After listening, Fu Jian said proudly: 'With my numerous troops, even if I throw my whips into the river, I can block the flow.' This statement fully demonstrates Fu Jian's confidence in the Qin army's strength and his reckless strategic decision. However, the outcome of the Battle of Fei River severely slapped Fu Jian in the face. The Qin army suffered a major defeat, and Fu Jian's dream of 'blocking the river with whips' was shattered, becoming a laughingstock in history.
Usage
常用来形容军队人数众多，力量强大。
Often used to describe the large number and strength of an army.
Examples
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淝水之战，前秦大军兵败，可谓是‘投鞭断流’的梦想彻底破灭。
Fei Shui zhi zhan, qian Qin dajun bing bai, ke wei shi ‘tou bian duan liu’ de mengxiang cheng ke po mie.
The Battle of Fei River, the defeat of the Qin army, can be described as the complete destruction of the dream of 'throwing a whip to cut off the flow'.
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他领导的团队，人才济济，真可谓‘投鞭断流’啊！
Ta lingdao de tuandui, rencai jij ,zhen ke wei ‘tou bian duan liu’ a!
The team he leads is full of talents, it can be said 'throwing a whip to cut off the flow'!