words once spoken cannot be taken back
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back even by a team of four horses; what's said cannot be unsaid; a promise must be kept
formalUsed to emphasize the importance of keeping one's word or the irreversibility of spoken words. Often used as a warning to be careful about what one says, or as a reminder that a promise is binding. This idiom is commonly quoted to stress the value of integrity and the finality of verbal commitments.
Yī一
yán言
jì既
chū出
,
sì驷
mǎ马
nán难
zhuī追
,
nǐ你
kě可
yào要
shuō说
huà话
suàn算
shù数
。
A gentleman's word is his bond—you must keep your promise.
Zán咱
men们
yī一
yán言
jì既
chū出
,
sì驷
mǎ马
nán难
zhuī追
,
jué绝
bù不
fǎn反
huǐ悔
。
What's said is said, and we absolutely won't go back on our word.
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Tā他
shēn深
zhī知
yī一
yán言
jì既
chū出
,
sì驷
mǎ马
nán难
zhuī追
de的
dào道
lǐ理
,
suǒ所
yǐ以
cóng从
bù不
qīng轻
yì易
xǔ许
nuò诺
。
He deeply understands that words once spoken cannot be taken back, so he never makes promises lightly.