每天成语
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恼羞成怒

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: nǎo xiū chéng nù
  • English Translation: To fly into a rage out of shame (turning embarrassment into anger)
  • Idiom Composition: 「恼」（Resentful, vexed, or annoyed.）＋「羞」（Shame or embarrassment.）＋「成」（To become or turn into.）＋「怒」（Anger or rage.）
  • Meaning: A state where someone becomes extremely angry because they feel ashamed, embarrassed, or have had their faults or secrets exposed. It describes a defensive reaction where one uses anger to cover up their humiliation.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「恼羞成怒」 contains the following nuances:

  • Emotional Transformation Process: The idiom highlights a specific psychological shift: the root cause is 羞 (xiū - shame), but because the person cannot process that shame, it explodes as 怒 (nù - anger).
  • Defensive Aggression: It refers to the act of attacking others as a defense mechanism to protect one's ego or 'face' when a sensitive truth is revealed.
  • Implication of Unreasonableness: Because the person is usually the one at fault, their anger is viewed by others as unreasonable, immature, and a sign of a weak character.

3. Usage

「恼羞成怒」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Arguments and Debates: Used when someone is losing an argument or has their lies exposed and resorts to emotional outbursts rather than logic.
    • Example:「被指出谎言后，他不但不道歉，反而恼羞成怒地大吼大叫。」
      （When his lie was pointed out, instead of apologizing, he flew into a rage out of shame and started shouting.）
  • Reaction to Rejection or Failure: Describes lashing out at others after being rejected or failing publicly to mask the feeling of humiliation.
    • Example:「追求被拒绝后，他竟然恼羞成怒，开始在背后说那个女孩的坏话。」
      （After his advances were rejected, he actually turned his embarrassment into anger and began spreading rumors about the girl.）
  • Exposure of Wrongdoing: Used when a person's hidden bad deeds are revealed and they react with hostility to deflect blame.
    • Example:「小偷被抓住时恼羞成怒，试图攻击店员。」
      （When the thief was caught, he became infuriated by the humiliation and tried to attack the shop assistant.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 你别因为说不过我就恼羞成怒。
    （Don't get all defensive and angry just because you couldn't out-argue me.）
  2. 看到自己的丑事被曝光，他恼羞成怒，威胁要起诉记者。
    （Seeing his scandal exposed, he flew into a rage out of shame and threatened to sue the reporter.）
  3. 这种人一旦被揭穿真面目，往往会恼羞成怒。
    （Once their true nature is revealed, these types of people often turn their embarrassment into anger.）
  4. 玩笑开得太过分，小心对方恼羞成怒。
    （Be careful not to take jokes too far, or the other person might get angry from the humiliation.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • The Culture of Face (面子 - miànzi): In Chinese society, maintaining 'face' is paramount. 恼羞成怒 (nǎo xiū chéng nù) describes the most immature and aggressive reaction to losing face, making it a highly negative descriptor.
  • Common Misspelling: Learners often mistakenly write 脑 (nǎo - brain) instead of 恼 (nǎo - annoyed) because the anger feels like it is 'going to the head.' However, the original meaning is rooted in the feeling of being vexed and ashamed.
  • Usage Warning: Using this idiom to describe someone to their face is extremely provocative. It essentially tells them, 'I hit a nerve, didn't I?' or 'You're only angry because you're embarrassed.'

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

The idiom 恼羞成怒 (nǎo xiū chéng nù) describes the psychological process of turning embarrassment into aggression. It is used to criticize someone who, when called out for a mistake or having their 'face' (面子 - miànzi) damaged, reacts with irrational anger instead of admitting fault. It is very similar to the English concept of 'getting defensive' or 'lashing out' when one's pride is hurt.

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