倾巢出动 (qīng cháo chū dòng) — to turn out in full force (usually of a group with negative intent, like criminals or enemies)

Definition

A vivid idiom meaning a group turns out in full force, usually a hostile crowd (gang, enemy, mob) swarming out together. Built on 巢 (nest) — everyone leaves the nest at once.

idiom
to turn out in full force (usually of a group with negative intent, like criminals or enemies)

Examples

  • 倾巢出动，，。
    Nà ge fàn zuì tuán huǒ qīng cháo chū dòng, xiǎng bào fu jǐng fāng, dàn dōu bèi zhuā le.
    That criminal gang turned out in full force to retaliate against the police, but they were all caught.
  • ，倾巢出动，。
    Miàn duì jǐng fāng de tū jī jiǎn chá, dǔ chǎng de rén qīng cháo chū dòng, shì tú táo pǎo.
    Facing a police raid, the casino staff turned out in full force, trying to flee.
  • ，倾巢出动。
    Yáo yán chuán kāi hòu, fěn sī men qīng cháo chū dòng wèi tā jiě shì.
    After the rumor spread, fans turned out in full force to explain for him.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 傾; 倾 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rénman
Sound part声符shēngfú
頃
頃qǐng傾qīng
Same sound today

The traditional form 傾 combines 人 (man) with 頃, which gives the sound; 倾 is the simplified form of 傾.

Open 倾 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

巢 shows a baby bird in a nest on top of a tree.

Open 巢 →

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

出 combines 止 (foot) and 凵 (cave) to show a foot stepping out of a cave.

Open 出 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrength
Sound part声符shēngfú
重
重zhòng動dòng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

Open 动 →

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