肝脑涂地 liver and brains on the ground
Explanation
形容为国捐躯，极其忠诚，即使牺牲性命也在所不惜。
Describes someone who gives their life for their country and is extremely loyal, even if it means sacrificing their life.
Origin Story
话说汉高祖刘邦称帝后，谋臣娄敬进言说：‘陛下，您当初从沛县起兵，经历大小战役无数，百姓流离失所，尸横遍野，真是‘肝脑涂地’啊！如今您要建都，不宜选择洛阳，而应选择长安。’刘邦不解，娄敬解释道：‘洛阳是周朝的旧都，而长安地势险要，易守难攻，百姓也比较安居乐业，更适合作为都城。’刘邦听后深思熟虑，最终采纳了娄敬的建议，将都城定在了长安。这便是历史上著名的“定都长安”的故事，也体现了娄敬对国家社稷的忠诚和深谋远虑。这个成语“肝脑涂地”也因此更加深入人心，用来形容为国捐躯的忠诚和献身精神。
It is said that after Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, ascended the throne, his counselor Lou Jing advised him: 'Your Majesty, when you started from the county of Pei, you fought countless battles. The people were displaced, corpses lay everywhere; a true 'gān nǎo tú dì'! Now you want to build a capital, it is inappropriate to choose Luoyang; instead, you should choose Chang'an.' Liu Bang didn't understand, so Lou Jing explained: 'Luoyang is the former capital of the Zhou dynasty, whereas Chang'an has a strategic location. It is easy to defend and hard to attack; also, people generally live a more peaceful life. It is more suitable to be the capital.' After careful thought, Liu Bang accepted Lou Jing's suggestion and made Chang'an the capital. This is the famous historical story of "establishing Chang'an as the capital". It shows Lou Jing's loyalty and farsighted planning for his country. This idiom 'gān nǎo tú dì' became even more well-known, describing the loyalty and dedication to one's country.
Usage
形容为国捐躯，极其忠诚，任何牺牲都在所不惜。
Describes someone who gives their life for their country and is extremely loyal, willing to make any sacrifice.
Examples
-
为了国家的利益，他甘愿肝脑涂地。
wèile guójiā de lìyì, tā gānyuàn gānnǎo túdì
He was willing to give his life for the interests of the country.
-
他为了事业，真是肝脑涂地，鞠躬尽瘁。
tā wèile shìyè, zhēnshi gānnǎo túdì, jūgōngjìncùì
He dedicated his life to the cause and sacrificed everything for it..