沥胆披肝 lì dǎn pī gān pour out one's heart and liver

Explanation

比喻开诚相见，也形容非常忠诚。

It means to show sincere friendship, complete loyalty, and devotion.

Origin Story

话说唐朝时期，有个名叫李靖的将军，他作战勇敢，对皇帝忠心耿耿。一次，李靖奉命出征，面对强敌，他毫不畏惧，身先士卒，带领将士们浴血奋战，最终取得了胜利。战后，皇帝问他为何如此英勇，李靖回答说：“臣沥胆披肝，为国效力，誓死保卫国家！”皇帝听后深受感动，对李靖的忠诚赞赏有加。从此，“沥胆披肝”便用来形容对人忠诚，为国家奉献一切的精神。

huà shuō táng cháo shíqí, yǒu gè míng jiào lǐ jìng de jiāngjūn, tā zuòzhàn yǒnggǎn, duì huángdì zhōngxīn gěnggěng. yīcì, lǐ jìng fèng mìng chū zhēng, miànduì qiángdí, tā háo bù wèijù, shēn xiān shì zǔ, dài lǐng jiàngshì men yù xuè fèn zhàn, zuìzhōng qǔdé le shènglì. zhàn hòu, huángdì wèn tā wèi hé rúcǐ yīngyǒng, lǐ jìng huídá shuō: “ chén lì dǎn pī gān, wèi guó xiàolì, shì sǐ bǎowèi guójiā!” huángdì tīng hòu shēn shòu gǎndòng, duì lǐ jìng de zhōngchéng zànshǎng yǒu jiā. cóng cǐ, “lì dǎn pī gān” biàn yòng lái xiáoróng duì rén zhōngchéng, wèi guójiā fèngxiàn yīqiè de jīngshen.

In the Tang Dynasty, there was a general named Li Jing, who was known for his bravery in battle and unwavering loyalty to the emperor. Once, Li Jing was sent to fight a powerful enemy. He showed no fear and fought bravely at the front, leading his soldiers to victory. After the battle, the emperor asked him why he fought so valiantly. Li Jing answered: "I offer my heart and soul for my country; I vow to die protecting it!" The emperor was deeply moved by Li Jing’s loyalty and praised him highly. Since then, "Li Dan Pi Gan" has come to describe one’s complete loyalty and devotion to their country.

Usage

作谓语、定语；形容非常忠诚。

zuò wèiyǔ、dìngyǔ；xiáoróng fēicháng zhōngchéng

Used as a predicate or attributive; describes exceptional loyalty.

Examples

• 他为了朋友，真是沥胆披肝，两肋插刀。

  tā wèile péngyou, zhēnshi lì dǎn pī gān, liǎng lèi chā dāo

  He truly sacrificed himself for his friend.

• 面对强敌，他沥胆披肝，奋勇杀敌。

  miànduì qiángdí, tā lì dǎn pī gān, fèn yǒng shā dí

  In the face of the enemy, he fought with all his might and loyalty.

Related Idioms

• 肝脑涂地

• 忠心耿耿

Opposite Idioms

• 阳奉阴违

• 口是心非