引以为戒 (yǐn yǐ wéi jiè) — to take as a warning; to learn a lesson from a past mistake

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning 'take something as a warning / learn a lesson from a past mistake'. Used in writing or serious speech, often in public-policy, corporate, or moral contexts — not casual chat.

idiom
to take as a warningto learn a lesson from a past mistake

Examples

  • 引以为戒，。
    Wǒ men yīng gāi cóng zhè cì shī bài zhōng yǐn yǐ wéi jiè, bì miǎn zài fàn tóng yàng de cuò wù.
    We should learn a lesson from this failure and avoid making the same mistake again.
  • 引以为戒，。
    Zhè ge àn lì zhí dé dà jiā yǐn yǐ wéi jiè, bú yào tān tú xiǎo lì.
    This case is worth taking as a warning — don't be greedy for small gains.
  • ，引以为戒。
    Tā yīn wéi guī bèi chǔ fá, qí tā rén yìng yǐn yǐ wéi jiè.
    He was punished for violating the rules; others should take warning from it.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

  • 弓弓gōngbow
  • 丿丿piěindicatory stroke

引 is made from 弓, a bow, and 丿, a short slant stroke added at the place where the string is pulled, marking the action of drawing or pulling.

Open 引 →

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

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Open 以 →

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 →

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

  • 戈戈gēhalberd
  • 廾廾gǒnghands

戒 shows 廾 (hands) and 戈 (a halberd) together: hands holding up a weapon as a warning.

Open 戒 →

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