"Lip Gone, Teeth Cold" literally means that when the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold. It originates from the allusion in "Zuo Zhuan, Duke Xi, Fifth Year": "The cheek and the gum depend on each other; when the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold." It is used as a metaphor for a close relationship in which the interests of both sides are intertwined, so that if one side suffers harm, the other will also be affected. This idiom is often used to describe interdependent relationships among countries, groups, or individuals, emphasizing shared interests and shared risks. In terms of usage, it is mostly employed in diplomacy, military affairs, business cooperation, or teamwork to remind people to consider the overall situation and not think only of themselves. Its emotional tone is relatively neutral, but it often carries a warning and advisory sense, cautioning people to value the safety of allies or partners, because their survival directly affects one's own interests. Its deeper meaning lies in revealing the universal connections among things: nothing exists in isolation, and harming others may ultimately harm oneself. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the ideas of harmony and cooperation as well as a sense of vigilance in traditional Chinese culture.
📝 Example
1. These two companies share a relationship as close as lips and teeth—if one goes bankrupt, the other will also be severely affected. (A metaphor for a situation where two parties share a common stake, and if one suffers, the other cannot escape unscathed.)
2. Environmental protection and economic development are not opposites; rather, they are as interdependent as lips and teeth—destroying the environment will ultimately hinder the economy. (A metaphor for mutual dependence, where harm to one side endangers the other.)