一吐为快 (yī tǔ wéi kuài) — to feel relief after getting something off one's chest; to have to say one's piece before one can relax

Definition

An idiom for the relief you feel once you finally say what's been weighing on you — getting something off your chest. Often used when holding feelings in has felt uncomfortable.

idiom
to feel relief after getting something off one's chestto have to say one's piece before one can relax

Examples

  • 一吐为快，。
    Tā bǎ xīn lǐ de huà yī tǔ wéi kuài, zhōng yú jué de shū fu duō le.
    He got what was on his mind off his chest and finally felt much more comfortable.
  • ，一吐为快。
    Zhè jiàn shì biē zài xīn lǐ hěn jiǔ le, jīn tiān yí dìng yào yī tǔ wéi kuài.
    I've been holding this in for a long time — today I have to get it off my chest.
  • ，一吐为快。
    Tīng wán tā de jiě shì, dà jiā dōu yǒu zhǒng yī tǔ wéi kuài de gǎn jué.
    After hearing his explanation, everyone felt a sense of relief.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
土
土tǔ吐tǔ
Same sound today

吐 pairs 口, the mouth, with 土, which gives the sound.

Open 吐 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Open 为 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
夬
夬guài快kuài
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

快 pairs the left part 忄 (full form 心, the heart) with the right part 夬, which gives the sound.

Open 快 →

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