Dictionary Entry: 卧薪尝胆

lit. to sleep on brushwood and taste gall (like King Gou Jian of Yue 勾踐|勾践[gōu jiàn]), in order to recall one's humiliations) (idiom) ꞏ fig. to maintain one's resolve for revenge ꞏ lit. to lie on firewood and taste gall (idiom); fig. suffering patiently, but firmly resolved on revenge