
Chinese Idiom: 鸡鸣狗盗 (Ji Ming Gou Dao)
English Translation: The crowing of roosters and the thievery of dogs
pīn yīn: jī míng gǒu dào
Idiom Meaning: This idiom metaphorically refers to lowly skills or trivial abilities, often carrying a derogatory connotation.
Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记·孟尝君列传》).
Idiom Story:
In 299 BC, King Zhao of Qin admired the talents of Meng Changjun (Meng Tian) from Qi and invited him to become the Prime Minister of Qin. Some officials advised King Zhao, suggesting that Meng, being a relative of the King of Qi, would prioritize Qi’s interests over those of Qin, potentially endangering the state. Taking this advice to heart, King Zhao dismissed Meng Changjun and imprisoned him, intending to execute him.
In his predicament, Meng Changjun sought the help of a favored concubine of King Zhao. The concubine agreed to help him escape, but she required a precious fox fur robe as payment. Meng had once owned such a robe but had gifted it to King Zhao upon his arrival in Qin.
At this critical moment, one of Meng’s low-ranking attendants, who could mimic a dog’s bark, disguised himself as a dog and sneaked into the palace to steal the robe back for Meng. He successfully retrieved it, allowing Meng to present it to the concubine, who then pleaded for his release.
Once freed, Meng Changjun quickly changed his identity and fled from the capital, Xianyang. However, he faced a challenge at the eastern gate of Hangu Pass, as the guards would only open the gate at dawn.
While in despair, another low-ranking attendant, skilled in mimicking a rooster’s crow, began to call out like a rooster. This prompted other roosters to join in, creating a cacophony of crowing. Hearing the noise, the gatekeepers opened the gate, allowing Meng and his entourage to escape.
After safely returning to Qi, Meng reflected on how he had once regarded these lowly attendants with disdain for their humble skills. Yet, it was precisely their abilities that had saved him from danger. From that day forward, Meng Changjun and his guests held these two attendants in high esteem, realizing that even seemingly trivial skills could have significant value.
Thus, the idiom “鸡鸣狗盗” highlights the idea that while certain skills may seem trivial or lowly, they can prove essential in critical situations.