"Yi Chu Ji Fa" (literally "once touched, it triggers") means that a situation has developed to an extremely tense stage where the slightest provocation will immediately cause an outbreak. It originates from the phrase "yi chu ji fa" in the Book of Han: The Biography of Jia Yi. Originally referring to an arrow on the bowstring that would shoot off at the slightest touch, it later came to describe an extremely tense situation in which war, conflict, crisis, or the like could break out at any moment. It is mostly used to describe tense situations involving political, military, or social conflicts, and can also describe personal emotions or relationships on the verge of breaking down. In emotional coloring, it carries a sense of urgency and crisis, emphasizing a critical state. In terms of cultural background, this idiom reflects the Chinese emphasis on "shi" (momentum or tendency), that is, the tendency of things to erupt after accumulating to a certain degree. It is often used to warn people to guard against gradual and minor problems and prevent conflicts from escalating.
📝 Example
1. The border situation between the two countries is at a tipping point, and the international community is calling on both sides to exercise restraint. (Describing that war could break out at any moment.)
2. The conflict between the two of them is at a tipping point, and any inappropriate remark could trigger an argument. (Describing a tense relationship in which a clash is about to happen.)