throw a stone to clear the road(tóu shí wèn lù)

throw a stone to clear the road

It's a Chinese idiom, Pinyin is t ó ush í w è NL ù, which originally means to throw a stone before diving into a place at night to see if there is any reaction, so as to detect the situation. Later, we use it as a metaphor to explore. From the classic "three heroes and five righteousness".

Interpretation of Idioms

There are two ways to ask the way by throwing stones: 1. It refers to throwing stones before diving into a place at night to see if there is any reaction, so as to detect the situation. [from three heroes and five righteousness (Chapter 12)] Chapter 12 of three heroes and five righteousness by Shi Yukun in Qing Dynasty: (Zhan Zhao) arrives at the top of the wall and climbs down. Then he took a stone from the bag and gently dropped it, listening carefully. (it's called "throwing stones to ask the way.". There's either a ditch or water below, but it's on the ground, and there's nothing you can't hear.) Turn the steel claw around, hold the silk tapestry in hand, and go down. 2. It is used as a metaphor to make a trial. [from the three heroes and five righteousness (Chapter 50)] Chapter 50 of the three heroes and five righteousness by Shi Yukun in Qing Dynasty: (Baogong) when he was thinking about it, he suddenly heard a shot in the courtyard and didn't know what was falling. Bao Xing hurriedly went out, but picked up a paper package with the word "quick open". Bao Gong saw it and thought it must be an anonymous post or something else. When I opened it, there was a stone wrapped in it. There was a letter on it, which said: "I've come to borrow three treasures and take them back to the empty island for the time being. If Nanxia comes to lujiazhuang, he can't run away. " After seeing it, Bao Gong asked Bao Xing to go to see Shi Sanbao and asked Li Cai to invite Zhan's guard. Soon, Zhan ye came to the study, and Bao Gong was about to read the letter with Zhan Ye. Mr. Zhan asked, "has Mr. Xiang ever sent someone to see the three treasures?" Bao Gong said, "it's time to see Bao Xing." The exhibition master was greatly shocked and said: "the prime minister has been hit by his plan of" beating the door and throwing stones to ask the way. " Bao Gong asked: "why is it called" throwing stones to ask the way " Mr. Zhan said: "this person didn't know where the three treasures were, so it's doubtful to write this word. If he does not give sight, he cannot do it; now he has sent sight, and he has led him. There is no doubt that these three treasures will be lost. " When I said that, I suddenly heard the noise there. Zhan Ye was surprised.

Idiom usage

Xinmin Evening News, 1989.1.5: "Anhui Science and Technology Publishing House asked for directions by throwing stones. Last autumn and winter, the Publishing House published a picture album of human body photography, which was unexpectedly launched."

Chinese PinYin : tóu shí wèn lù