芒刺在背

Chinese
Miscanthus sinensis
 
thorn; sting; prick
thorn; sting; prick; pierce; stab; thrust; assassinate; murder
 
(located) at; in; exist
(located) at; in; exist; (before verbs) immediately involved in; right in the middle of doing
 
learn by heart; the back of the body; to be burdened
learn by heart; the back of the body; to be burdened; to carry on the back or shoulder
trad. (芒刺在背) 芒 刺 在 背
simp. #(芒刺在背) 芒 刺 在 背

Etymology

From the Book of Han [circa 2nd century AD].

宣帝始立，謁見高廟，大將軍光從驂乘，上内嚴憚之，若有芒刺在背。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
宣帝始立，谒见高庙，大将军光从骖乘，上内严惮之，若有芒刺在背。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Han Shu
Xuāndì shǐ lì, yèjiàn gāo miào, dàjiāngjūn guāng cóng cān chéng, shàng nèi yán dàn zhī, ruò yǒu mángcìzàibèi. [Pinyin]
(please add an English translation of this example)

Pronunciation

Idiom

芒刺在背

  1. to be jittery; to be on pins and needles
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