今天的中文成语 - 东山再起

Since today is election day, I wanted to find an idiom having to do with politics. The picture on the right is of Marion Barry, who used to be the DC Mayor in the 90's, got arrested for drug use (cocaine) and a few years ago was re-elected to the city council. Can you beleive it?

东山再起 - dōngshānzàiqi3

东山 - dōngshān - name of a mountain in present day Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province.

起 - qi3 - to reinstate

再起 - to e an official again

Xie An of the East Jin Dynasty lived on East Mountain after his resignation. The imperial court asked him to be an official many times, but he refused. Later, when appointed Sima (a high official) he agreed and came off the mountain.

Literal Meaning: To be reinstated after coming out from East Mountain; reinstatement to ones post.

Metaphorical Meaning: To regain political power after one has lost it.

This Chinese Idiom describes individuals, powers and organizations.

Example Sentences:

他们这样作, 是为了保存实力, 等待时机, 以便东山再起。

Tāmen zhèyàng zuò, shì wèile bao3cún shílì, děngdài shíjī, yi3biàn dōngshānzàiqi3。

敌人是不甘心失败的, 什么时候都妄图东山再起。

Dírén shì bù gānxīn shībài de, shénme shíhou dōu wàngtú dōngshānzàiqi3。