Chinese Idiom: 得过且过 (De Guo Qie Guo)
English Translation: Get by as it goes
pīn yīn: dé guò qiě guò
Idiom Meaning: Refers to a careless and irresponsible attitude towards work, implying one is just getting by without effort or concern.
Historical Source: From “The Record of Southern Village Farmers” (《南村辍耕录·寒号虫》).
Idiom Story:
There is a fable about a bird called the “Cold Call Bug” that once lived on Mount Wutai. This bird resembled a large bat and measured over a foot long. Although it had four legs, it couldn’t walk quickly; and while it had a pair of fleshy wings, it could not fly. Its droppings produced a medicine called “Five Spirit Resin.”
During the summer, the Cold Call Bug was adorned with vibrant and colorful feathers, looking quite splendid. It would boastfully sing, “I’m better than a phoenix! I’m better than a phoenix!”
As winter approached, while all the other birds were busy gathering grass and building nests to prepare for the cold, the Cold Call Bug continued to jump and sing, “Get by as it goes! Get by as it goes!”
When the harsh winter came, the Cold Call Bug lost all its beautiful feathers and appeared pitiful, like a poorly feathered bird. It could not withstand the severe cold. At night, it had no choice but to hide in the cracks of stones, shivering and murmuring, “Shiver, shiver, I’ll build a nest by morning.”
As the cold night passed and the sun rose, the Cold Call Bug forgot its promise and went back to singing, “Get by as it goes! Get by as it goes!”
