披荆斩棘 pī jīng zhǎn jí

fig. to overcome all obstacles on the way

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 38804th word

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to overcome all obstacles on the way
  2. 2. to break through hardships
  3. 3. to blaze a new trail
  4. 4. lit. to cut one's way through thistles and thorns (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
披 pī HSK 5
to drape over one's shoulders; to open; to split open
荆 jīng
thorn; bramble; old name for the Chu state
斩 zhǎn HSK 6
to chop; to behead (as form of capital punishment)
棘 jí
thorns