曲突徙薪 qū tū xǐ xīn

fig. to take preventive measures

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to take preventive measures
  2. 2. lit. to bend the chimney and remove the firewood (to prevent fire) (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
曲 qū HSK 6
bent; crooked; wrong
突 tū HSK 3
sudden; to break through; to move forward quickly
徙 xǐ HSK 6
(literary) to change one's residence
薪 xīn HSK 6
salary; fuel