箭在弦上

jiànzàixiánshàng

idiom #35,640

Meanings

1 the arrow is on the bowstring (idiom)
2 forced by circumstances to act
3 at the point of no return

Characters

Examples

现在箭在弦上，不得不发。

Xiànzài jiàn zài xián shàng, bù dé bù fā.

Now the arrow is on the string — we have no choice but to act.

计划已经箭在弦上，无法取消。

Jìhuà yǐjīng jiàn zài xián shàng, wúfǎ qǔxiāo.

The plan is already in motion and can't be called off.

双方关系紧张，战争箭在弦上。

Shuāngfāng guānxì jǐnzhāng, zhànzhēng jiàn zài xián shàng.

With tensions between the two sides, war is imminent.

Tips

history

From a Three Kingdoms anecdote recorded in 《魏志》: when Chen Lin was asked why he wrote a scathing declaration against Cao Cao for Yuan Shao, he answered '矢在弦上，不可不发' — 'the arrow was on the string, I could not help but loose it.' Used to excuse actions forced by circumstance.

usage

Nearly always paired with 不得不发 ('cannot but be fired'). Describes momentum or commitment that has passed the point of cancellation.

Stroke Order

箭 jiàn

在 zài

弦 xián

上 shàng