众矢之的

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: zhòng shǐ zhī dì
• English Translation: Target of many arrows (target of public criticism)
• Idiom Composition: 「众」（Many people; the public）＋「矢」（Arrow; here it metaphorically represents criticism or attacks）＋「之」（A grammatical particle indicating possession or relation (similar to 'of')）＋「的」（Target; bullseye）
• Meaning: A target where many arrows converge; figuratively refers to a person or thing that has become the object of widespread public criticism or attack.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「众矢之的」 contains the following nuances:

• Object of Concentrated Attack: It refers to a state where criticism from the public, media, or a group is focused on a single point, rather than just general unpopularity.
• Metaphorical Arrows: The 'arrows' in this idiom are not physical weapons but represent verbal condemnation, accusations, and the pursuit of accountability.

3. Usage

「众矢之的」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Scandals and Misconduct: Frequently used when politicians, celebrities, or companies are involved in scandals and face intense backlash from public opinion or the media.
  • Example:「由于发表了不当言论，这位明星一夜之间成了众矢之的。」
    （Due to his inappropriate remarks, the star became the target of public criticism overnight.）
• Accountability and Blame: Used in situations where responsibility for a project failure or declining performance is focused on a specific individual, such as a leader.
  • Example:「项目失败后，作为负责人的他成了众矢之的。」
    （After the project failed, he, as the person in charge, became the target of everyone's attacks.）
• Focus of Debate: Used to describe a specific policy or proposal that has become the primary target of intense opposition.
  • Example:「这项新政策刚一推出，就成了众矢之的。」
    （As soon as this new policy was introduced, it became the target of heavy criticism.）

Additional Examples:

1. 为了保护朋友，他挺身而出，让自己成了众矢之的。
   （To protect his friend, he stepped forward and made himself the target of attack.）
2. 在那次会议上，他的提议过于激进，立刻成为了众矢之的。
   （At that meeting, his proposal was too radical and immediately became the target of concentrated fire.）
3. 作为公司的CEO，在业绩下滑时成为众矢之的是无法避免的。
   （As the CEO of the company, it is unavoidable to bear the brunt of criticism when performance declines.）
4. 不要总是抱怨自己是众矢之的，先反思一下自己的行为吧。
   （Don't just complain about being the target of everyone's blame; first, reflect on your own behavior.）
5. 这篇文章观点偏颇，发表后立刻成为了学术界众矢之的。
   （This article has a biased perspective and immediately became the target of academic criticism after publication.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This expression appears in the writings of the late Qing Dynasty thinker Tan Sitong (谭嗣同) and the letters of the famous writer Lu Xun (鲁迅). While relatively modern, it is frequently used in contemporary society to describe 'internet firestorms' or public bashing.
• Nuance: As the word 的 (dì) specifically refers to a 'target' or 'bullseye,' the idiom emphasizes the concentration of attacks on one spot. It suggests a high-pressure situation where one is surrounded by criticism with no easy escape.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 千夫所指 (qiān fū suǒ zhǐ): To be pointed at by a thousand men; being condemned by the public.
  • 过街老鼠 (guò jiē lǎo shǔ): A rat crossing the street; someone who is loathed and shunned by everyone.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 有口皆碑 (yǒu kǒu jiē bēi): Every mouth is a memorial tablet; to be praised by everyone for one's achievements.
  • 人心所向 (rén xīn suǒ xiàng): Where the people's hearts turn; to enjoy popular support and trust.
  • 众望所归 (zhòng wàng suǒ guī): To be widely expected and supported.link

6. Summary

众矢之的 (zhòng shǐ zhī dì) describes a situation where someone or something is being attacked or criticized from all sides, much like a bullseye being hit by many arrows. It is commonly used in modern contexts to describe public figures facing scandals, leaders taking the blame for failures, or controversial policies receiving heavy backlash.