"Mountain upon mountain and river upon river" literally means overlapping mountains and winding rivers, describing complex terrain separated by mountains and waters. It originates from the famous line in "A Visit to a Village West of the Mountain" by the Southern Song poet Lu You: "Where mountains and rivers merge, one doubts there is a path ahead; then willows darken and flowers brighten, revealing yet another village." This idiom is often used as a metaphor for encountering layer upon layer of difficulties in life or career, as if trapped in a hopeless situation, yet often after perseverance a turning point emerges. It carries an emotional tone of first suppression then elevation, depicting both the confusion of adversity and an implied hope. It is mostly used to describe turning points after setbacks, or the twists and turns in the development of events. In terms of cultural background, it embodies the philosophical idea in traditional Chinese culture that "when things reach their extreme low, they begin to turn upward," encouraging people to remain optimistic in adversity.
📝 Example
1. In the early days of starting his business, he encountered such insurmountable obstacles as a shortage of funds and a sluggish market, but ultimately broke through by innovating his products. (Describing being beset with difficulties and having almost no way out.)
2. In their scientific research, the team experienced countless failures. Just when all seemed hopeless, an accidental experiment brought a breakthrough. (Metaphor for a turning point emerging when one is in a desperate situation.)