bend the arm for a pillow(qǔ gōng ér zhěn)

bend the arm for a pillow

It is a Chinese idiom. Pinyin is Q ū g ō ng é RZH ě n, which means sleeping with a bent arm. It describes a person's life as peaceful and carefree. From the Analects of Confucius.

Idiom explanation

Humerus: the part of the arm from elbow to shoulder, generally referring to the arm. Pillow: pillow.

The origin of Idioms

In the Analects of Confucius, it is said that "if you eat sparsely and drink water, you can bend your arms to your pillow and enjoy yourself." 　

Idiom usage

Example when you come back, you'll have enough to eat. At dusk, you'll bend your arms to your pillow and swim with your stomach bulging. Feng Weimin, Ming Dynasty

Chinese PinYin : qǔ gōng ér zhěn