一五一十 (yī wǔ yī shí) — in full detail, systematically (to narrate, tell, or report); to count by fives or tens
Definition
An idiom meaning 'in full detail, leaving nothing out' — used when telling or reporting something from start to finish. Its literal origin is counting by fives and tens, but the detail sense is the one used in modern speech.
idiom
in full detailsystematically (to narrate, tell, or report)to count by fives or tens
Examples
- 一五一十。Tā bǎ shì qing de jīng guò yī wǔ yī shí dì jiǎng le yí biàn.He told the whole story from beginning to end.
- 一五一十。Tā xiàng jǐng chá yī wǔ yī shí dì jiāo dài le nà tiān wǎn shàng de qíng kuàng.She reported to the police in full detail what happened that night.
- 一五一十。Xiǎo shí hou nǎi nai jiào wǒ yī wǔ yī shí dì shù qián.When I was little, my grandma taught me to count money by fives and tens.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate
Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.
The numerals 一, 五, 一, 十 are listed, evoking counting by fives and tens.
Appears in
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