披荊斬棘 pī jīng zhǎn jí

fig. to overcome all obstacles on the way

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

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
荊 jīng
ancient Chu; thorny bush
斬 zhǎn
to chop; to behead (as form of capital punishment)
棘 jí
thorns