息事宁人 (xī shì níng rén) — to patch up a quarrel and reconcile the parties; to make concessions to avoid trouble

Definition

An idiom meaning 'to smooth things over and avoid trouble,' usually by making concessions rather than pressing a dispute. It carries a negative tone — implying a妥协 (compromise) that dodges conflict instead of resolving it on principle.

idiom
to patch up a quarrel and reconcile the partiesto make concessions to avoid trouble

Examples

  • 息事宁人，。
    Wèi le xī shì níng rén, tā zhǔ dòng xiàng duì fāng dào qiàn.
    To patch things up, he voluntarily apologized to the other party.
  • ，息事宁人。
    Yǔ qí jì xù zhēng chǎo, bù rú xī shì níng rén.
    Rather than keep arguing, it's better to make concessions and avoid trouble.
  • 息事宁人，。
    Lǎo bǎn zǒng shì xuǎn zé xī shì níng rén, bú yuàn dé zuì rèn hé yī fāng.
    The boss always chooses to smooth things over, unwilling to offend either side.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

息事
息xīstop事shìtrouble
动宾Verb + object
宁人
宁níngpacify人rénpeople
动宾Verb + object

To stop 事 and make 人 peaceful gives the idea of reconciling disputants.

Characters in this word

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

In 息, 自 is nose and 心 is heart, showing breath or life passing through one's nose.

Open 息 →

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

In 事, 又 is a hand and 中 is a flagpole with a drum; holding a flag in hand depicts performing a job.

Open 事 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 寧; 宁 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánhouse
  • 皿皿mǐnfood or wine vessel
  • 丂丂kǎotable (?)
Open 宁 →

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

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →

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