"Li Dai Tao Jiang" (substituting one thing for another) originates from "Cock Crow" in the Collection of Yuefu Poems. The original poem uses the shared hardships of peach and plum trees as a metaphor for brotherly love, and it later evolved to mean bearing blame for someone else or substituting one thing for another. Its deeper meaning refers to a situation in which, amid hardship, one party voluntarily or involuntarily bears disaster, responsibility, or loss on behalf of another. It is often used to describe taking the blame for someone, or strategically sacrificing a secondary part to preserve the main part, such as sacrificing a rook to save the king in military or business contexts. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the traditional Chinese moral values of valuing righteousness over profit and sacrificing oneself for others, while also implying helplessness and the tragic heroism of sacrifice. Its emotional tone is relatively neutral, but it often carries regret or praise. It should be noted that it differs from "framing someone else," which involves maliciously shifting blame, whereas "Li Dai Tao Jiang" may be voluntary or forced by circumstances. In modern times, it is also used to refer to alternative solutions, such as replacing high-priced materials with low-cost ones.
📝 Example
1. To shield his friend, he voluntarily took the blame and bore all the responsibility. (Referring to taking punishment for someone else)
2. When the project failed, the manager made the newcomer the scapegoat and let him take the blame. (Referring to taking punishment for someone else)