Definition
This chengyu literally means 'to set up another stove' and figuratively refers to starting over completely from the beginning, usually after abandoning previous efforts. It's often used in contexts like restarting a career, project, or relationship (e.g., beginning a new marriage after divorce).
id.
to start over from scratchto make a fresh start (by discarding previous work or arrangements)
Examples
- ,另起炉灶,。Gōngsī jīngyíng bú shàn, juédìng lìng qǐ lú zào, quánbù yèwù chóngxīn guīhuà.The company was poorly managed and decided to start over, replanning all its operations from scratch.
- 另起炉灶,。Líhūn hòu tā lìng qǐ lú zào, bān dào yí ge xīn chéngshì kāishǐ shēnghuó.After the divorce, he made a fresh start and moved to a new city to begin his life.
- ,另起炉灶。Xiàngmù yǐjīng shībài le, bùrú lìng qǐ lú zào lìng xiǎng bànfǎ.The project has already failed; we might as well start over and think of another approach.
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