# 所向披靡

suǒ xiàng pī mǐ

Win decisively wherever one goes

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Everything gives way before one's advance

**Register:** Emphatic · literary

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Describe repeated overwhelming success in competition or conflict.

Grand praise; not necessarily literal invincibility forever.

## Understanding the expression

Things bend or scatter as the advancing force reaches them. The expression describes a run of decisive victories, often by an army or sports team. It can also praise a competitor whose skill seems to overcome every challenge. The impression concerns a period or setting rather than an eternal guarantee. Clear context names the arena and achievements, preventing enthusiastic praise from implying that future opponents or changing conditions cannot create meaningful resistance.

## Examples

球队在小组赛中所向披靡。

### Traditional Chinese

球隊在小組賽中所向披靡。

qiú duì zài xiǎo zǔ sài zhōng suǒ xiàng pī mǐ 。

The team swept through the group stage.

她参加辩论比赛，几乎所向披靡。

### Traditional Chinese

她參加辯論比賽，幾乎所向披靡。

tā cān jiā biàn lùn bǐ sài ， jī hū suǒ xiàng pī mǐ 。

She was almost unbeatable in debate competitions.

电影里的军队一度所向披靡。

### Traditional Chinese

電影裡的軍隊一度所向披靡。

diàn yǐng lǐ de jūn duì yí dù suǒ xiàng pī mǐ 。

The army in the film initially swept all before it.

再强也不能保证永远所向披靡。

### Traditional Chinese

再強也不能保證永遠所向披靡。

zài qiáng yě bù néng bǎo zhèng yǒng yuǎn suǒ xiàng pī mǐ 。

No strength guarantees winning forever.

## 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=%E6%89%80%E5%90%91%E6%8A%AB%E9%9D%A1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=661&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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