成语故事: 刻舟求剑 Cut the Boat to Find the Lost Sword

刻舟求剑

kè zhōu qiú jiàn

刻 means 'to cut', 舟 means 'boat', 求 means 'to find' or 'to ask for', 剑means 'sword'. The idiom is used to mock people who stick to rituals or habits when the circumstances have changed. Anyone who rigidly adheres to the old ways without regard for changes in circumstances, is doing the same as the man who 刻舟求剑.

Literal meaning: Cut the Boat to Find the Lost Sword

Explanation: Circumstances alter cases