守株待兔

shǒu zhū dài tù

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

Definitions

1. lit. to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits (idiom)
2. to wait idly for opportunities
3. to trust to chance rather than show initiative

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Word relationships

Synonyms

1 item

坐享其成

zuò xiǎng qí chéng

to reap where one has not sown (idiom)

Both imply passively waiting for benefits without effort.

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used as a standalone idiom; 不能 is a common negation: 不能守株待兔 (cannot wait idly).

Common mistakes

Not for patient waiting with a plan; it's only for negative, passive idleness.

Example Sentences

1 shown

你不能守株待兔，要主动找工作。

You can't just wait idly for opportunities; you need to actively look for a job.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 守株待兔

守株待兔，缘木求鱼

shǒu zhū dài tù , yuán mù qiú yú

to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits, and climb a tree to catch fish (idiom); without any practical course of action

Child Words of 守株待兔

rabbit

to guard

to stay

to wait

tree trunk