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A state of widespread disorder and turmoil affecting an entire country or region.
自古以来，每逢天下大乱之时，总会有英雄豪杰涌现。
Since ancient times, whenever chaos engulfs the land, heroes and champions have always emerged.
秦末天下大乱，刘邦与项羽争夺天下。
At the end of the Qin Dynasty, chaos engulfed the land as Liu Bang and Xiang Yu fought for control.
Often used to describe historical periods of civil war, rebellion, or societal collapse.
This idiom reflects the cyclical view of Chinese history, where dynasties rise and fall amid periods of chaos. It is often used in discussions about historical events, political instability, or societal collapse.
Use '天下大乱' to describe large-scale, nation-wide chaos rather than localized or personal turmoil. For example, it fits historical events like the Warring States period but not a single city's riot.
The phrase originates from ancient Chinese historical texts, describing periods of widespread disorder. '天下' (tiānxià) means 'under heaven' or 'the whole country,' while '大乱' (dàluàn) means 'great chaos.' Together, they depict a scenario where societal order collapses entirely.
This idiom is typically used in historical, literary, or formal contexts to describe large-scale societal upheaval. It is not used for minor disturbances or personal conflicts.