危机四伏

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: wēi jī sì fú
• English Translation: Crisis lurking on all sides (riddled with danger)
• Idiom Composition: 「危」（Danger or precarious）＋「机」（Crucial point or sign (here referring to the signs of a crisis)）＋「四」（Four directions; everywhere）＋「伏」（To hide, to lurk, or to lie in ambush）
• Meaning: A state where danger or potential disaster is hidden in every direction. It describes a tense situation where, even if things look calm on the surface, threats are waiting to emerge at any moment.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「危机四伏」 contains the following nuances:

• Latent Threats: The idiom emphasizes threats that are hidden (伏 - fú) and developing out of sight, rather than just obvious, visible dangers.
• Omnidirectional Risk: The use of 四 (sì) implies that there is no safe haven, as danger could strike from any direction at any time.

3. Usage

「危机四伏」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Political and Social Situations: Used to describe a society in an unstable state with signs of war, riots, or economic collapse.
  • Example:「那个地区的局势动荡不安，可谓危机四伏。」
    （The situation in that region is volatile and can be described as riddled with danger.）
• Business and Management: Refers to a situation where multiple problems affecting a company's survival, such as bankruptcy risks or internal conflict, are piling up.
  • Example:「这家公司表面风光，实则资金链断裂，内部危机四伏。」
    （This company looks successful on the surface, but with its broken capital chain, it is actually beset by hidden crises.）
• Adventure and Suspense: Used in fiction to describe a protagonist entering an unknown or hostile environment where they must remain on high alert.
  • Example:「探险队走进了一片危机四伏的原始森林。」
    （The expedition team stepped into a primeval forest that was fraught with hidden perils.）

Additional Examples:

1. 在这个危机四伏的江湖中，必须时刻保持警惕。
   （In this danger-ridden underworld, one must remain vigilant at all times.）
2. 看似平静的海面下，其实暗流涌动，危机四伏。
   （Beneath the seemingly calm surface of the sea, undercurrents surge and crises lurk everywhere.）
3. 由于缺乏监管，网络金融领域一度危机四伏。
   （Due to a lack of regulation, the internet finance sector was once fraught with hidden risks.）
4. 他在危机四伏的战场上幸存了下来。
   （He survived on a battlefield that was riddled with danger.）
5. 这段婚姻早已危机四伏，离婚只是时间问题。
   （This marriage had long been beset by hidden crises, and divorce was only a matter of time.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This expression is not derived from a specific ancient fable but became established in modern literature. A famous example is found in the novel Midnight (子夜) by Mao Dun (茅盾), which describes Shanghai as a place where 危机四伏 (wēi jī sì fú).
• Nuance: While the idiom 四面楚歌 (sì miàn chǔ gē) implies being completely surrounded by enemies and facing certain defeat, 危机四伏 (wēi jī sì fú) suggests a 'minefield' state where a fatal collapse hasn't happened yet, but the atmosphere is incredibly tense and explosive.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 险象环生 (xiǎn xiàng huán shēng): Dangerous phenomena or situations occurring one after another.link
  • 岌岌可危 (jí jí kě wēi): In an extremely precarious state; on the verge of collapse.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 安如泰山 (ān rú tài shān): As stable and secure as Mount Tai (泰山).
  • 风平浪静 (fēng píng làng jìng): Calm wind and quiet waves; a state of peace and tranquility.
  • 万无一失 (wàn wú yī shī): Absolutely safe; no danger at all.link

6. Summary

危机四伏 (wēi jī sì fú) describes a precarious situation where threats are hidden in every corner. Unlike idioms that describe total collapse, this term emphasizes the tension of a 'minefield' environment—whether in social unrest, a failing business, or a literal dangerous wilderness—where one wrong move could trigger a disaster.