如履薄冰
rú lǚ bó bīng
to tread on thin ice; to act with extreme caution
Character by character
如rú
as if
as if
履lǚ
treading
treading
薄bó
thin
thin
冰bīng
ice
ice
Example
刚当上经理的那几个月，他每做一个决定都如履薄冰。
In his first months as manager he took every decision as if walking on thin ice.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From 《小雅·小旻》: 战战兢兢，如临深渊，如履薄冰, often quoted with 如临深渊. Of a cautious, anxious frame of mind, not of real danger. 薄 is bó, the written reading.
Learn this in Lesson 230 · HSK 9+: 诗经：最早的歌 (The Book of Songs)
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