不翼而飞

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bù yì ér fēi
• English Translation: To disappear without a trace, or to spread rapidly (of rumors or information)
• Idiom Composition: 「不」（Not）＋「翼」（Wing）＋「而」（And, yet）＋「飞」（To fly）
• Meaning: Literally meaning 'to fly without wings.' By extension, it refers to something suddenly disappearing without a trace, or to rumors and information spreading rapidly. It is most often used in the context of objects disappearing.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「不翼而飞」 contains the following nuances:

• Sudden disappearance: Describes something disappearing suddenly and without a trace.
• Inexplicable disappearance: Refers to a mysterious disappearance where the reason or manner of vanishing is unknown.
• Rapid spread: Can also describe rumors or information spreading rapidly, as if they had wings.

3. Usage

「不翼而飞」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Disappearance of objects: Used to describe situations where valuables or important items have disappeared without a trace.
  • Example:「钱包不翼而飞，他急得像热锅上的蚂蚁。」
    （His wallet disappeared, and he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.）
• Spread of rumors: Can also describe rumors or information spreading rapidly.
  • Example:「这个谣言不翼而飞，弄得人心惶惶。」
    （This rumor spread like wildfire, causing widespread panic.）

Additional Examples:

1. 那幅珍贵的画作不翼而飞，警方正在调查。
   （That precious painting disappeared, and the police are investigating.）
2. 他的新手机不翼而飞，怀疑是被人偷了。
   （His new phone vanished, suspected to have been stolen.）
3. 这消息不翼而飞，很快就传遍了整个公司。
   （This news spread rapidly, quickly reaching the entire company.）
4. 我的钥匙刚才还在这儿，怎么一会儿就不翼而飞了？
   （My keys were just here a moment ago, how did they disappear so quickly?）
5. 放在桌子上的文件不翼而飞，他感到非常困惑。
   （The documents left on the desk disappeared, leaving him very confused.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• This expression originates from the ancient Chinese text 'Guanzi: Quan Xiu', where it originally referred to the rapid spread of sounds or rumors.
• In modern Chinese, it is primarily used to describe the disappearance of objects.
• Since the disappearance of objects is undesirable, it usually carries a negative connotation.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 无影无踪 (wú yǐng wú zōng): To disappear without a trace, to vanish completely.
  • 杳无音信 (yǎo wú yīn xìn): To be completely out of touch, to have no news.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 原封不动 (yuán fēng bú dòng): To remain untouched, to be in its original state.

6. Summary

'不翼而飞' is an idiom describing objects that suddenly disappear or rumors that spread rapidly. It is especially used in contexts where the disappearance is mysterious and sudden, emphasizing that the loss is as if something 'flew away without wings.' When using this idiom, it is helpful to keep in mind the mysterious and instantaneous nature of the disappearance. Additionally, it originates from ancient Chinese literature and is now mainly used to describe the disappearance of objects.