Chinese Idiom: 孤注一掷 (Gu Zhu Yi Zhi)
English Translation: Place all bets in a single throw
pīn yīn: gū zhù yī zhì
Idiom Meaning: This phrase refers to using all remaining strength or resources to take a final gamble in a critical moment.
Historical Source: History of Song (《宋史 · 寇准传》).
Idiom Story:
Kou Zhun, courtesy name Pingzhong, was a prominent politician from Huazhou Xiabang (now Weinan, Shaanxi) during the Northern Song Dynasty. He served as Prime Minister under Emperor Zhenzong and was known for his decisive leadership.
In 1004, the Khitan people invaded the Northern Song Dynasty. Many officials in the court advocated for relocating the capital to escape the threat, but Kou Zhun urged the emperor to resist and suggested that Emperor Zhenzong personally lead the troops into battle. The emperor accepted his advice and mobilized the army to Chanzhou (present-day Puyang, Henan), where he directly commanded the troops. This decision boosted the morale of the Song army, leading to a significant defeat of the invaders and forcing the Khitan to negotiate peace, thus ending the conflict. As a result of this success, Kou Zhun gained the emperor’s favor and was further entrusted with important responsibilities.
However, a rival named Wang Qinruo, who held a deputy prime minister position, harbored personal animosity towards Kou Zhun and was envious of his achievements. He approached Emperor Zhenzong and spoke ill of Kou Zhun, saying, “Your Majesty, have you heard about gambling? When a gambler is about to lose everything, they often risk it all in one last bet, which is called ‘孤注’ (gū zhù). By allowing Kou Zhun to persuade you to lead the army against the Khitan, you are placing yourself in a ‘孤注’ situation. It is extremely dangerous.”
This remark drew from the gambling metaphor to suggest that following Kou Zhun’s advice could lead to dire consequences, akin to the risks involved in gambling everything on one throw.
As a result of this story, the idiom “孤注一掷” came to symbolize taking bold and decisive action in the face of uncertainty, especially when all remaining resources are committed to a final gamble.
