未雨绸缪 wèi yǔ chóu móu prepare for a rainy day

Explanation

这个成语比喻做事有先见之明，提前做好准备，以应对可能发生的困难和挑战。

This idiom is used to describe the need to prepare for future events before they happen. It is used to encourage people to prepare for potential challenges before they arise.

Origin Story

传说周武王灭商之后，将有功之臣分封到各地，留下周公在朝辅政。武王死后，年幼的成王即位，朝中有人散布谣言说周公要废掉成王自立。周公为了维护成王的统治，为了避免将来发生动乱，便以“未雨绸缪”的姿态，整顿朝政，肃清叛乱，然后自己退隐，最终平息了这场风波，成王也顺利地成长为一代明君。

chuán shuō zhōu wǔ wáng miè shāng zhī hòu, jiāng yǒu gōng zhī chén xià fēn fēng dào gè dì, liú xià zhōu gōng zài cháo fǔ zhèng. zhōu wǔ wáng sǐ hòu, nián yòu de chéng wáng jí wèi, cháo zhōng yǒu rén sàn bù yáo yán shuō zhōu gōng yào fèi diào chéng wáng zì lì. zhōu gōng wèi le wéi hù chéng wáng de tǒng zhì, wèi le bì miǎn jiāng lái fā shēng dòng luàn, biàn yǐ “wèi yǔ chóu móu” de zī tài, zhěng dùn cháo zhèng, sù qīng pàn luàn, rán hòu zì jǐ tuì yǐn, zhōng jiū píng xī le zhè jiāng fēng bō, chéng wáng yě shù lì de chéng zhǎng wéi yī dài míng jūn.

It is said that after Zhou Wu Wang defeated the Shang Dynasty, he appointed his meritorious ministers to various regions, leaving Zhou Gong at court to assist in government affairs. After the death of Zhou Wu Wang, the young Cheng Wang ascended the throne. Some people spread rumors that Zhou Gong intended to depose Cheng Wang and establish himself as the ruler. To protect the rule of Cheng Wang and prevent future unrest, Zhou Gong took a “未雨绸缪” -attitude, reformed the government, suppressed rebellions, and then retired. Eventually, this conflict was settled, and Cheng Wang grew up to be a wise and just ruler.

Usage

这个成语强调提前做好准备的重要性，可以用来形容做任何事情都要有先见之明，提前做好准备，以应对可能发生的困难和挑战。

zhè ge chéng yǔ qiáng diào tí qián zuò hǎo zhǔn bèi de zhòng yào xìng, kě yǐ yòng lái xíng róng zuò rènhé shì qíng dōu yào yǒu xiān jiàn zhī míng, tí qián zuò hǎo zhǔn bèi, yǐ yìng duì kě néng fā shēng de kùn nan hé tiǎo zhàn.

This idiom emphasizes the importance of preparing in advance. It can be used to describe that you should be far-sighted and prepare in advance for any task to deal with possible difficulties and challenges.

Examples

  • 我们要未雨绸缪，做好防范措施。

    wǒ men yào wèi yǔ chóu móu, zuò hǎo fáng fàn cuò shī.

    We need to prepare for all eventualities.

  • 面对即将到来的挑战，我们要未雨绸缪，做好充分的准备。

    miàn duì jí jiāng dào lái de tiǎo zhàn, wǒ men yào wèi yǔ chóu móu, zuò hǎo chōng fèn de zhǔn bèi.

    We must prepare in advance to be ready for the challenges ahead.

Related Idioms

  • 有备无患

  • 防患未然

  • 未雨先绸

Opposite Idioms

  • 临渴掘井

  • 亡羊补牢

  • 临时抱佛脚