负荆请罪 - Zhictionary

Zhictionary

负荆请罪

負荊請罪

fùjīngqǐngzuì

lit. to bring a bramble and ask for punishment (idiom)
fig. to offer sb a humble apology

to offer someone a humble apology, requesting punishment and forgiveness

战国时赵国大将廉颇与上卿蔺相如不和，相如为社稷着想，每每退让。廉颇得知后深觉自己无知，乃袒衣露肉，背负荆条，随宾客到蔺相如居所谢罪。典出《史记．卷八一．廉颇蔺相如传》。后世用来形容向对方承认错，请求责罚和原谅。

重編國語辭典

向对方承认错误，请求责罚和原谅

Entry Composition

to proffer a birch and ask for a whipping -- to offer a modest apology

to apologize humbly
to beg forgiveness