对号入座

duì hào rù zuò◆idiom
match the description to the person

请大家对号入座,找到自己的座位号。

Please match the numbers to your seats.


◆ What It Really Means
To precisely identify or assign someone or something to a specific role, description, or position based on given criteria.
Literal Meaning
To match a number (or description) to a seat and then sit in it.
Literal Breakdown
对号to match a number or description+入座to take one's seat
◇ Mental Image
The mental picture is of someone checking a list or description, finding their assigned seat number, and then sitting down—symbolizing a perfect match between description and reality.
◈ When to Use
In a corporate training session, a manager might say, 'Let's对号入座 and identify who has the skills for this leadership role.' Here, it means matching each employee's skills to the role's requirements.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the importance of precision and order in traditional Chinese culture, where roles and positions were strictly defined. It has since expanded to describe any situation where matching or identification is required.
formal

To match someone or something to a specific description, role, or position, often implying they fit the criteria perfectly.

在会议上,经理对号入座,指出谁该负责这个项目。

At the meeting, the manager identified who should be responsible for the project.

这部电影的角色设定让观众对号入座,觉得自己就是主角。

The character design in this movie made the audience feel like they were the protagonist.

Often used in contexts like seating arrangements, role assignments, or identifying someone's place in a system.

Collocations

对号入座式matching-style对号入座的方法method of matching

Synonyms

Related Phrases

对号phrase
matching a number or description to a specific item or person
入座phrase
taking one's seat

Pro Tip

Usage in Modern Contexts

While traditionally used for seating, this idiom is now widely applied in business, psychology, and social settings to describe identifying someone's role, personality, or behavior based on a description.

Gold Rule

Avoid Literal Interpretation

Do not confuse this idiom with its literal meaning of seating arrangements. Focus on the figurative sense of matching or identifying.

Word Origin

The idiom originates from traditional Chinese theater, where actors would match their assigned roles (对号) to their actual seats (入座) before performances. Over time, it evolved to describe the act of matching descriptions to people or things.

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in formal or organizational contexts, such as meetings, seating arrangements, or role assignments. It implies a precise and intentional matching process.

Word Breakdown

对号
to match a number or description to a specific item or person
phrase
+
入座
to take one's seat
phrase
汉英词典