開弓沒有回頭箭 kāi gōng méi yǒu huí tóu jiàn

once started, no turning back; must go on

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. once you've shot the arrow, there's no getting it back (idiom)
  2. 2. fig. once you started sth, there's no turning back
  3. 3. to have to finish what one started
  4. 4. to be determined to reach one's goals in spite of setbacks

Characters

Character Meaning
開 kāi
to open; to turn on; to start
弓 gōng
a bow (weapon); to bend; to arch (one's back etc)
沒 méi
not; (negative prefix for verbs); have not
有 yǒu HSK 1
to have; there is; there are
回 huí HSK 1
to go back; to return; to turn around
頭 tóu
head; the top; end
箭 jiàn HSK 6
arrow