摇身一变 yáo shēn yī biàn transform oneself

Explanation

比喻变化迅速，面目全非。

A metaphor for a rapid change, where something looks completely different.

Origin Story

话说唐三藏师徒四人西天取经，途径盘丝岭，被七个蜘蛛精困住。蜘蛛精们法力高强，变化多端。悟空使出浑身解数，与蜘蛛精们斗智斗勇。正斗得难解难分之际，悟空突然想起师父曾教过他一个法术，可以变化身形。悟空念动咒语，摇身一变，变成了一只巨大的金毛犼，吓得蜘蛛精们四处逃窜。悟空乘胜追击，将七个蜘蛛精一一降服，顺利通过了盘丝岭。

huà shuō táng sānzàng shī tú sì rén xī tiān qǔ jīng, tú jìng pánsī lǐng, bèi qī gè zhīzhū jīng kùn zhù. zhīzhū jīng men fǎ lì gāo qiáng, biànhuà duō duān. wùkōng shǐ chū hún shēn jiě shù, yǔ zhīzhū jīng men dòu zhì dòu yǒng. zhèng dòu dé nán jiě nán fēn zhī jì, wùkōng tūrán xiǎng qǐ shīfu céng jiào guò tā yīgè fǎshù, kěyǐ biànhuà shēnxíng. wùkōng niàn dòng zhòuyǔ, yáo shēn yī biàn, biàn chéng le yī zhī jùdà de jīn máo hǒu, xià de zhīzhū jīng men sì chù táocuàn. wùkōng chéng shèng zhuījī, jiāng qī gè zhīzhū jīng yī yī jiàng fú, shùnlì tōngguò le pánsī lǐng.

Once upon a time, Tang Sanzang and his four disciples were on their way to the West to obtain scriptures, and on their way to Panshi Ridge, they were trapped by seven spider spirits. The spider spirits were extremely powerful and could change their forms. Monkey King used all his tricks and fought bravely against the spider spirits. At a critical moment, the Monkey King suddenly remembered a magic spell taught by his master that could change his form. Monkey King chanted the spell, and with a shake of his body, he turned into a huge golden-haired dog, scaring the spider spirits to flee. Seizing the victory, Monkey King subdued the seven spider spirits one by one, and smoothly passed Panshi Ridge.

Usage

用于形容变化迅速、彻底，常用于褒义或贬义，视语境而定。

yòng yú xíngróng biànhuà sùsù, chèdǐ, cháng yòng yú bāoyì huò biǎnyì, shì yǔjìng ér dìng

Used to describe a rapid and thorough change, often used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation.

Examples

  • 他摇身一变，成了公司的CEO。

    tā yáo shēn yī biàn, chéng le gōngsī de CEO

    He transformed himself into the CEO of the company.

  • 这件旧衣服摇身一变，变成了时尚的服装。

    zhè jiàn jiù yīfu yáo shēn yī biàn, biàn chéng le shishàng de fúzhuāng

    This old piece of clothing transformed into fashionable clothing.

Related Idioms

  • 变化多端

  • 变幻莫测

  • 瞬息万变

Opposite Idioms

  • 一成不变

  • 故步自封