The literal meaning of "一掷千金" is "to throw a thousand pieces of gold," describing someone who spends money with extreme generosity and without the slightest stinginess. It extends to mean squandering wealth excessively and living extravagantly. This idiom comes from Biographies of Tang Talents, originally referring to the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai, who was bold and unrestrained, often spending large sums on drinking or helping friends. Later, it came to generally describe spending money lavishly and without regard for consequences. In terms of usage, it can be used pejoratively to criticize someone for squandering their family fortune and being wasteful, or neutrally or positively to describe someone as generous and willing to spend heavily to achieve a goal. Culturally, it reflects the carefree attitude of ancient literati toward money and also implies criticism of extravagant ways. Emotionally, it carries a sense of exaggeration and exclamation, often used to emphasize enormous spending. It is important to note that it emphasizes spending money "all at once" or "with extreme generosity," rather than long-term economic behavior.
📝 Example
1. At the auction, he splurged a fortune on a painting, leaving everyone present dumbfounded. (Describing spending money extremely generously, sparing no expense)
2. To support public welfare, this entrepreneur splurged a fortune and donated to build ten Hope Schools. (Describing being generous and willing to contribute)