舍本逐末

shě běn zhú mò
idiom★Intermediate— to neglect the essential and pursue the trivial◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
To prioritize minor or unimportant matters while ignoring the fundamental or essential aspects of a situation.
Literal Meaning
To abandon the root and pursue the branches.
Literal Breakdown
舍to abandon+本root or foundation+逐to pursue+末end or branch
◇ Mental Image
The idiom evokes the image of a tree, where the root is the foundation and the branches are the less important parts. Abandoning the root for the branches symbolizes misplaced priorities.
◈ When to Use
A manager criticizes an employee for focusing too much on minor details of a project while neglecting the overall strategy and goals.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the Chinese cultural value of prioritizing the fundamental aspects of a situation, which is rooted in Confucian philosophy and traditional agricultural practices.
general

To prioritize minor or unimportant matters while ignoring the fundamental or essential aspects of a situation.

他总是舍本逐末，只关注细节而忽略了整体战略。

He always neglects the essential and pursues the trivial, focusing only on details while ignoring the overall strategy.

💡

This idiom is often used to criticize someone who is overly focused on minor issues while neglecting the bigger picture.

Related Phrases

本末倒置idiom
to reverse the order of importance, putting the less important before the more important

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is often used in discussions about work, management, or decision-making to highlight the importance of focusing on the right priorities.

⚡Gold Rule

Key Concept

The idiom emphasizes the importance of focusing on the fundamental aspects of a situation rather than getting distracted by minor details.

📖Word Origin

The idiom originates from ancient Chinese philosophy and agriculture, where it was used to describe the importance of focusing on the root (本) rather than the branches (末).

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express the idea of misplaced priorities.

Word Breakdown

舍
to abandon or give up
root
+
本
root or foundation
root
+
逐
to pursue
root
+
末
end or branch
root
汉英词典