Idiom Explanation:
Fly away without wings, a metaphor for something suddenly disappearing.
Pronunciation:
不翼而飞
bù yì ér fēi
Origin:
《管子·戒》：管仲复于桓公曰：“无翼而飞者，声也；无根而固者，情也；无立而贵者，生也。公亦固情谨声，以严尊生，此谓道之荣。”
Story:
Duke Huan of Qi wanted to consult Guan Zhong about his trip, so he asked, “On this trip, I want to go from Zhifu in the east to Langxie in the south.
Sima gave his opinion that it should also be like the previous king’s trip. What does this mean?” Guan Zhong replied, “The previous king’s trip was called a ‘tour’ when he went out in the spring to investigate the difficulties in farming, and a ‘sunset’ when he went out in the fall to subsidize the residents who had a shortage of livelihood. The kind of people and horses travel and eat and drink the people, called ‘death’; enjoy the fun and do not know to come back, called ‘desolate’. The previous king had a situation of travel and eve to the people, but he himself never acted in a desolate or dead way.” Duke Huan retired and paid his respects, saying, “This is a precious law.”
Then Guan Zhong admonished Duke Huan, “What can fly without feathers is words, what can be consolidated without roots is feelings, and what can be honored without status is heart. You should also consolidate your feelings and be careful with your words in order to strictly guard your honorable heart. This is called the development of the Way.” Duke Huan once again thanked Guan Zhong and thought he was very right.
Similar Idioms:
- 不胫而走
