如履薄冰

rúlǚ-bóbīng

idiom #24,875

Meanings

1 as if walking on thin ice
2 extremely cautious
3 proceeding with great care

Characters

to tread / to walk on / shoe

Examples

面对复杂的局面，他如履薄冰，每一步都谨慎行事。

Miànduì fùzá de júmiàn, tā rúlǚbóbīng, měi yī bù dōu jǐnshèn xíngshì.

Faced with the complex situation, he proceeded as if walking on thin ice, exercising caution with every step.

新员工在大公司工作，感觉如履薄冰，生怕出错。

Xīn yuángōng zài dà gōngsī gōngzuò, gǎnjué rúlǚbóbīng, shēngpà chūcuò.

The new employee felt as if walking on thin ice working at a large company, terrified of making a mistake.

谈判期间，双方代表都如履薄冰，措辞极为谨慎。

Tánpàn qījiān, shuāngfāng dàibiǎo dōu rúlǚbóbīng, cuòcí jíwéi jǐnshèn.

During negotiations, representatives from both sides were extremely cautious, choosing their words with great care.

Tips

history

This expression comes from the 诗经 (Book of Songs), specifically the poem 小旻: 'Trembling and cautious, as if standing on the edge of a cliff, as if walking on thin ice' (战战兢兢，如临深渊，如履薄冰). It has been used for over 2,500 years.

Stroke Order

如 rú

履 lǚ

薄 báo

冰 bīng