恨之入骨

hèn zhī rù gǔ◆idiom
to hate someone with a passion

他对背叛他的人恨之入骨。

He hates those who betrayed him with a passion.

◆ What It Really Means
To harbor an extremely deep and intense hatred for someone, often due to betrayal or significant wrongdoing.
Literal Meaning
To hate someone to the point where the hatred enters their bones.
Literal Breakdown
恨to hate+之of, to+入to enter+骨bone
◇ Mental Image
The imagery evokes the idea of hatred being so deep and intense that it penetrates to the bones, symbolizing an enduring and unshakable feeling.
◈ When to Use
A person who has been deeply betrayed or wronged might use this idiom to express their intense hatred for the perpetrator, often in a formal or literary context.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on deep emotions and the enduring nature of certain feelings, particularly negative ones like hatred.
literaryformal

To harbor an extremely deep and intense hatred for someone, often due to betrayal or significant wrongdoing.

她对欺骗她的前夫恨之入骨，发誓要让他付出代价。

She hates her ex-husband who deceived her with a passion and swears to make him pay.

他对那些伤害无辜的人恨之入骨，决心要为正义而战。

He hates those who harm the innocent with a passion and is determined to fight for justice.

This idiom is often used to describe a deep-seated hatred that is not easily forgotten or forgiven.

Related Phrases

深恶痛绝idiom
to detest someone or something intensely
切齿痛恨idiom
to hate someone with a passion, gnashing one's teeth

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is strong and should be used carefully, as it conveys a very intense and possibly irreversible hatred.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

Due to its intensity, this idiom should not be used lightly or in casual settings.

Word Origin

The idiom combines '恨' (hate) and '入骨' (to enter the bone), suggesting that the hatred is so deep it penetrates to the bones, symbolizing an intense and enduring hatred.

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in formal or literary contexts to express extreme hatred, often due to betrayal or significant harm. It is not used in casual conversation.

Word Breakdown

恨
to hate
root
+
之
of, to
preposition
+
入
to enter
verb
+
骨
bone
noun
汉英词典