# 正中下怀

zhèng zhòng xià huái

Be exactly what one secretly or especially wants

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Hit directly the wish in one’s heart

**Traditional Chinese:** 正中下懷

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe an offer or outcome fitting a desired plan.

Often hints at an unstated intention.

## Understanding the expression

Something arrives that fits the person’s preference so well that it seems to strike the wish directly. The expression commonly describes an invitation, suggestion, or an opponent’s move that happens to suit one’s plan. It may carry a hint that the preference was not openly stated. The result can be harmless or calculating depending on context. Unlike general satisfaction, it emphasizes the close match between an event and a particular existing desire.

## Examples

她提议延期，正中下怀。

### Traditional Chinese

她提議延期，正中下懷。

tā tí yì yán qī ， zhèng zhòng xià huái 。

Her suggestion to postpone was exactly what I wanted.

邀请他演讲，正中下怀。

### Traditional Chinese

邀請他演講，正中下懷。

yāo qǐng tā yǎn jiǎng ， zhèng zhòng xià huái 。

The invitation to speak was just what he had hoped for.

对手先移动那枚棋子，正中下怀。

### Traditional Chinese

對手先移動那枚棋子，正中下懷。

duì shǒu xiān yí dòng nà méi qí zǐ ， zhèng zhòng xià huái 。

The opponent's first move with that piece was exactly what he wanted.

免费试用的机会正中下怀。

### Traditional Chinese

免費試用的機會正中下懷。

miǎn fèi shì yòng de jī huì zhèng zhòng xià huái 。

The chance for a free trial was exactly what she wanted.

## 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%AD%A3%E4%B8%AD%E4%B8%8B%E6%87%B7)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=865&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [知难而退 zhī nán ér tuì Step back after recognizing the difficulty ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhi-nan-er-tui)

- [置之度外 zhì zhī dù wài Set something aside from consideration ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhi-zhi-du-wai)

- [终南捷径 zhōng nán jié jìng A calculated shortcut to status or advancement ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhong-nan-jie-jing)

- [自投罗网 zì tóu luó wǎng Walk into a trap oneself ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-tou-luo-wang)

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