负荆请罪 Apologizing with thorns on one's back
Explanation
负荆请罪比喻真诚地向人赔罪。
Fù jīng qǐng zuì is a metaphor for sincerely apologizing to someone.
Origin Story
战国时期，赵国的廉颇和蔺相如都是国家的重臣，两人因功劳大小而产生矛盾。廉颇多次羞辱蔺相如，蔺相如为了国家大义，一再忍让。后来，蔺相如不计前嫌，为了国家团结，主动向廉颇示好，廉颇得知后，深感羞愧，于是背着荆条，光着上身，亲自到蔺相如府上请罪，两人最终和好如初，共同保卫国家。
During the Warring States period, Lian Po and Lin Xiangru were both high-ranking officials in the state of Zhao. A conflict arose between them over their respective merits and achievements. Lian Po repeatedly humiliated Lin Xiangru, but for the sake of national unity, Lin Xiangru repeatedly tolerated the insults. Later, Lin Xiangru, disregarding past grievances and prioritizing national unity, took the initiative to show goodwill towards Lian Po. Upon learning of this, Lian Po was deeply ashamed and went to Lin Xiangru's house, stripped to the waist, carrying a bundle of thorns, to apologize. The two eventually reconciled and worked together to defend their state.
Usage
用于形容真诚地向对方赔罪，表示悔过之意。
Used to describe sincerely apologizing to someone, showing remorse.
Examples
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他为了弥补过失，负荆请罪，以示歉意。
tā wèile míměi guòshī, fù jīng qǐng zuì, yǐ shì qiànyì
To make amends for his mistakes, he apologized with thorns on his back.
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为了表示诚意，他负荆请罪，请求原谅。
wèile biǎoshì chéngyì, tā fù jīng qǐng zuì, qǐngqiú yuánliàng
To show his sincerity, he apologized with thorns on his back, asking for forgiveness.