Definition
如履薄冰 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'as if walking on thin ice' — it describes extreme caution or wariness in a dangerous, delicate, or high-stakes situation. It's a literary phrase often used in formal or figurative contexts (business, politics, personal relationships) to emphasize that any misstep could lead to disaster. The literal image drives the meaning, so the idiom is best learned as a whole unit rather than word-by-word.
f.e.
as if treading on thin iceto be extremely cautious in a perilous situation
Examples
- 如履薄冰，。Tā zài zhège zhíwèi shàng rú lǚ báo, yīnwèi rènhé yí gè cuòwù dōu kěnéng dǎozhì gōngsī pòchǎn.He is as if walking on thin ice in this position, because any mistake could cause the company to go bankrupt.
- 如履薄冰，。Liǎng guó guānxì mùqián rú lǚ báo, shuāngfāng dōu bú yuàn cǎiqǔ guòjī xíngdòng.Relations between the two countries are currently like walking on thin ice; neither side wants to take extreme actions.
- 如履薄冰，。Tā měi cì kǎoshì dōu gǎnjué rú lǚ báo, shēng pà bù jígé.He feels as if walking on thin ice every time he takes an exam, afraid of failing.
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