# 如释重负

rú shì zhòng fù

Feel relieved of a heavy worry

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** As if a heavy load were removed

**Traditional Chinese:** 如釋重負

**Register:** Positive · general

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe relief when pressure or uncertainty ends.

Usually release from a specific burden, not general happiness.

## Understanding the expression

A heavy load presses on the body until it is taken away. The expression transfers that release to the mind when a worry, duty, or uncertainty is resolved. The person may breathe more easily, smile, or finally rest. It differs from excitement at gaining something entirely new. A helpful sentence names the burden that ended, making the change from tension to relief visible without needing to describe every outward reaction.

## Examples

检查结果正常，她如释重负。

### Traditional Chinese

檢查結果正常，她如釋重負。

jiǎn chá jié guǒ zhèng cháng ， tā rú shì zhòng fù 。

The normal test result relieved her greatly.

交完论文，他如释重负。

### Traditional Chinese

交完論文，他如釋重負。

jiāo wán lùn wén ， tā rú shì zhòng fù 。

Submitting the thesis lifted a weight from him.

孩子平安到家，母亲如释重负。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子平安到家，母親如釋重負。

hái zi píng ān dào jiā ， mǔ qīn rú shì zhòng fù 。

The mother was relieved when her child arrived safely.

误会澄清后，大家如释重负。

### Traditional Chinese

誤會澄清後，大家如釋重負。

wù huì chéng qīng hòu ， dà jiā rú shì zhòng fù 。

Clearing up the misunderstanding relieved everyone.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%A6%82%E9%87%8B%E9%87%8D%E8%B2%A0)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=617&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [如鱼得水 rú yú dé shuǐ Thrive in a fitting environment ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ru-yu-de-shui)

- [如愿以偿 rú yuàn yǐ cháng Have one’s wish fulfilled ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ru-yuan-yi-chang)

- [塞翁失马 sài wēng shī mǎ A setback may turn out to be a blessing ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/sai-weng-shi-ma)

- [姗姗来迟 shān shān lái chí Arrive noticeably late ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shan-shan-lai-chi)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 入木三分 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ru-mu-san-fen) [Next idiom 如数家珍 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ru-shu-jia-zhen)