# 探囊取物

tàn náng qǔ wù

Do something with great ease

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Reach into a bag and take an object

**Register:** Confident · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe a task or victory believed to be effortless.

Confidence may underestimate difficulty; not a literal guarantee.

## Understanding the expression

Taking a familiar item from one's own bag requires little searching or resistance. The expression compares that easy action to an achievement that lies well within someone's abilities. It often describes a strong competitor facing a weaker challenge. The confidence may be justified by experience, but it can also expose arrogance if the outcome surprises the speaker. A useful sentence makes clear why the task appears easy rather than asserting ease without context.

## Examples

这道题对她来说如探囊取物。

### Traditional Chinese

這道題對她來說如探囊取物。

zhè dào tí duì tā lái shuō rú tàn náng qǔ wù 。

This problem is easy for her.

他以为夺冠如探囊取物，却输了。

### Traditional Chinese

他以為奪冠如探囊取物，卻輸了。

tā yǐ wéi duó guàn rú tàn náng qǔ wù ， què shū le 。

He expected an easy championship but lost.

熟练工修这个零件，犹如探囊取物。

### Traditional Chinese

熟練工修這個零件，猶如探囊取物。

shú liàn gōng xiū zhè ge líng jiàn ， yóu rú tàn náng qǔ wù 。

Repairing this part is effortless for the skilled worker.

有了清晰索引，查资料像探囊取物。

### Traditional Chinese

有了清晰索引，查資料像探囊取物。

yǒu le qīng xī suǒ yǐn ， chá zī liào xiàng tàn náng qǔ wù 。

A clear index makes finding information easy.

## 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%8E%A2%E5%9B%8A%E5%8F%96%E7%89%A9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=644&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [天衣无缝 tiān yī wú fèng So well made or coordinated that no flaw is apparent ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tian-yi-wu-feng)

- [脱颖而出 tuō yǐng ér chū Stand out through evident talent ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tuo-ying-er-chu)

- [玩物丧志 wán wù sàng zhì Lose ambition through excessive indulgence ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wan-wu-sang-zhi)

- [望洋兴叹 wàng yáng xīng tàn Feel unable to undertake something beyond one’s capacity ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-yang-xing-tan)

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