举足轻重

舉足輕重

jǔzúqīngzhòng

idiom #21,454

Meanings

1 to be of great importance
2 to play a pivotal role
3 to hold the balance of power

Characters

to lift / to raise

Examples

中国在国际事务中举足轻重。

Zhōngguó zài guójì shìwù zhōng jǔzúqīngzhòng.

China plays a pivotal role in international affairs.

他在公司里举足轻重，没有他很多事情无法推进。

Tā zài gōngsī lǐ jǔzúqīngzhòng, méiyǒu tā hěn duō shìqing wúfǎ tuījìn.

He is indispensable in the company; many things cannot move forward without him.

Tips

history

This idiom alludes to the ancient practice of using a balance scale: even lifting one foot (举足) could tip the scales (轻重). It originally described powerful warlords during the Spring and Autumn period whose alliance could decide the outcome of conflicts.

memory

Literally: 'lift foot / light-heavy' — raising one foot on a balance tips it. The image conveys that even a small action from a powerful actor changes everything.

Stroke Order

举 jǔ

足 zú

轻 qīng

重 zhòng