Chinese Idiom: 一身是胆 (Yi Shen Shi Dan)
English Translation: One’s Whole Body is Courage
pīn yīn: yī shēn shì dǎn
Idiom Meaning: Refers to someone who is extremely brave and fearless. “一身” signifies totality, while “胆” represents boldness and bravery.
Historical Source: “Records of the Three Kingdoms: Shu Book: Biography of Zhao Yun,” annotated from “The Biography of Zhao Yun.”
Idiom Story: In 219 CE, Cao Cao led his army from Chang’an (modern Xi’an, Shaanxi) to seize Hanzhong, recently captured by Liu Bei. Liu Bei sent generals Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun to defend the western bank of the Han River and secure key passes. The two armies faced each other across the river for days without engagement.
One morning, Huang Zhong’s subordinate Zhang Zhu discovered that Cao Cao’s grain supplies were stored at the base of the northern mountain on the eastern bank. Liu Bei ordered Huang Zhong to raid the supplies, with Zhao Yun providing support. Huang Zhong crossed the river with his troops and reached the northern mountain, where he found the grain piled high. As the few guards fled, Huang Zhong suspected a trap and considered withdrawing.
Suddenly, Cao Cao’s generals Zhang Tai and Xu Huang launched an attack from two directions. Huang Zhong fought back but was forced to retreat. Zhao Yun, realizing Huang Zhong was overdue, sent his subordinate Zhang Yi to guard the camp and went to investigate. He found the Cao army advancing and charged into the fray, rescuing Huang Zhong and scattering the pursuing troops.
As Zhang Tai and Xu Huang regrouped and renewed their attack, Zhang Yi urged Zhao Yun to shut the camp gates. Zhao Yun dismissed the suggestion, ordered the gates open, removed the flags, and had archers lie in the trenches. Zhao Yun stood alone outside the camp, which caused Cao Cao’s troops to hesitate, suspecting an ambush. Zhao Yun then signaled his archers to fire, creating chaos among the Cao forces. He and Huang Zhong seized the opportunity to defeat Cao Cao’s army decisively.
The next day, Liu Bei inspected the battlefield and, hearing of Zhao Yun’s heroics, praised him saying, “Zilong (Zhao Yun) is all courage!” This story gave rise to the idiom “one’s whole body is courage,” describing someone who is incredibly brave and fearless.
