The teacher's words struck me like a morning bell and evening drum and made me suddenly see clearly.
Tips
history
Originates from the Tang poet Li Xianyong 李咸用's 《山中》: 朝钟暮鼓不到耳，明月孤云长挂情 ('Morning bells and evening drums never reach my ears; only the bright moon and lone clouds keep my heart company'). Buddhist monasteries marked the day by ringing the bell at dawn and beating the drum at dusk; the phrase came to symbolize both monastic discipline and any words that wake a person from spiritual stupor.
usage
Two flavors in modern use: literal — describing the atmosphere of an old temple; figurative — likening admonition or a lesson to the bell-and-drum that snaps a person to attention. Often paired with 醒悟 (xǐngwù) 'to wake up to'.
