东征西怨

東征西怨
dōngzhēngxīyuàn
war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters

CEDICT

出兵征讨东方，而西方的百姓埋怨不先来解救自己。语本《书经．仲虺之诰》：「乃葛伯仇饷，初征自葛，东征西夷怨，南征北狄怨。曰：『奚独后予。』」形容人民对仁义之师的盼望。《旧五代史．卷一二○．周书．恭帝本纪》：「逮事世宗，功存纳麓，东征西怨，厥绩懋焉。」

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 东征 dōngzhēng punitive expedition to the east
2 西 xī west
3 怨 yuàn
  1. to blame
  2. (bound form) resentment; hatred; grudge

Related entries

南征北伐 nánzhēngběifá war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters
南征北战 nánzhēngběizhàn war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters
南征北讨 nánzhēngběitǎo war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters
东征西讨 dōngzhēngxītǎo war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters
东讨西征 dōngtǎoxīzhēng war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters