"Killing each other" refers to mutual harm and conflict among one's own people, a metaphor for internal disunity and mutual strife. This idiom originates from the Book of Jin and is often used to describe violent conflicts or fierce struggles within a group, organization, or country caused by differences in interests, power, or opinions. Its deeper meaning lies in emphasizing the harm of internal friction, which often weakens the overall strength and gives external enemies an opportunity to exploit. It is mostly used in criticism or warning contexts, such as describing family feuds, corporate factional struggles, or civil wars. Its emotional tone is pejorative, carrying a sense of regret and condemnation. In terms of cultural background, traditional Chinese culture emphasizes that "harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all things" and that "unity is strength," so "killing each other" is regarded as a foolish and lamentable behavior, reminding people to value harmony and avoid internal division.
📝 Example
1. The senior executives of the company fought each other for control, ultimately leading to the bankruptcy of the enterprise.
2. The fall of many dynasties in history stemmed from the internecine strife within the ruling group, which gave external enemies an opportunity to exploit.