kick away the ladder; cast aside allies when they are no longer needed
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to discard helpers once they have served their purpose; to kick someone to the curb after using them
literaryOften used in historical or political contexts to describe the fate of generals or officials after a ruler secures power. It implies ingratitude and ruthlessness.
Zì自
gǔ古
jūn君
wáng王
duō多
yí疑
，
kāi开
guó国
dà大
jiàng将
wǎng往
wǎng往
nán难
táo逃
niǎo鸟
jìn尽
gōng弓
cáng藏
de的
mìng命
yùn运
。
Throughout history, suspicious monarchs often led their founding generals to the fate of being discarded after their use.
Gōng公
sī司
yī一
dàn旦
dù渡
guò过
nán难
guān关
，
tā他
jiù就
duì对
lǎo老
yuán员
gōng工
niǎo鸟
jìn尽
gōng弓
cáng藏
，
háo毫
bù不
liú留
qíng情
。
Once the company got through the crisis, he mercilessly discarded the old employees who had helped.
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Zhè这
chū出
xì戏
jiǎng讲
de的
shì是
gōng功
chén臣
bèi被
niǎo鸟
jìn尽
gōng弓
cáng藏
de的
bēi悲
jù剧
gù故
shì事
。
This play tells the tragic story of a meritorious official being cast aside after his service was no longer needed.