一鼓作气

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yì gǔ zuò qì
• English Translation: To do something in one go, to accomplish something in one vigorous effort
• Idiom Composition: 「一」（One）＋「鼓」（Drum）＋「作」（To rouse, to make）＋「气」（Spirit, morale）
• Meaning: To rouse the morale of soldiers in one go by beating a drum once. By extension, it describes accomplishing something in one vigorous effort without interruption, or seeing something through to the end with momentum.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「一鼓作气」 contains the following nuances:

• Importance of momentum: It highlights the importance of valuing the initial momentum and using it to carry through to the end.
• In one vigorous effort: Describes completing a task in one continuous effort without pause or loss of momentum.
• Concentration: Implies a strong will to maintain focus and persevere until completion.
• Accurate grasp of timing: Emphasizes the importance of recognizing the optimal timing to build and maintain momentum.

3. Usage

「一鼓作气」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing an action: Used to describe performing an action in one continuous effort.
  • Example:「他一鼓作气跑完了全程马拉松。」
    （He ran the entire marathon in one go.）
• Strategy or plan: Used when discussing strategies or plans to accomplish something in one continuous effort.
  • Example:「我们要一鼓作气拿下这个项目。」
    （We must take this project in one go and succeed.）
• Encouragement or inspiration: Used to encourage or inspire others.
  • Example:「大家加油，一鼓作气完成任务！」
    （Everyone, let's go! Let's complete the task in one fell swoop!）

Additional Examples:

1. 她一鼓作气写完了毕业论文。
   （She wrote her graduation thesis in one go.）
2. 战士们一鼓作气冲上了敌人的阵地。
   （The soldiers charged in one go onto the enemy's position.）
3. 我们要一鼓作气，争取在年底前完成销售目标。
   （We must make a concerted effort to achieve our sales target before the end of the year.）
4. 他一鼓作气读完了这本厚厚的小说。
   （He read this thick novel in one sitting.）
5. 趁着大家热情高涨，我们一鼓作气把工作做完吧。
   （While everyone's enthusiasm is high, let's finish the work in one go.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• '一鼓作气' originates from ancient Chinese military tactics. On the battlefield, drumbeats were used to boost soldiers' morale, and it was crucial to make soldiers charge with the first drumbeat and defeat the enemy with that momentum.
• This idiom comes from the section 'Cao Gui Lun Zhan' in the Chinese classic 'Zuo Zhuan'. The phrase '一鼓作气，再而衰，三而竭' (The first drumbeat inspires morale, the second weakens it, and the third exhausts it) emphasizes the importance of initial momentum.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 趁热打铁 (chèn rè dǎ tiě): Strike while the iron is hot; to act without missing a good opportunity.
  • 一气呵成 (yí qì hē chéng): (Of writing or speech) to flow smoothly in one breath.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 拖泥带水 (tuō ní dài shuǐ): To drag one's feet, to be slow and inefficient, like dragging mud and water.
  • 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi): To give up halfway, to abandon something unfinished.

6. Summary

'一鼓作气' is an idiom born from ancient Chinese military wisdom, and it remains applicable in various modern contexts such as work, study, and sports. When using this idiom, it is important to recognize the nuances of 'momentum' and 'concentration' beyond the simple meaning of 'doing something in one go'. Additionally, understanding the historical story behind it allows for a deeper and more effective use of this idiom.