Definition
抛砖引玉 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'throw a brick to attract jade'. It is used as a humble expression when one offers one's own rough or preliminary ideas (the 'brick') in the hope that others will come forward with more valuable insights (the 'jade'). You typically hear it in formal discussions, academic talks, or meeting openers — the speaker downplays their own contribution to encourage others to share. It is not used for literal brick-throwing.
idiom
to offer one's own humble remarks in order to elicit more valuable opinions from others
Examples
- ，抛砖引玉，。Wǒ xiān shuō jǐ jù, suàn shì pāo zhuān yǐn yù, xīwàng dàjiā duō tí bǎoguì yìjiàn.Let me start with a few words as a modest spur to invite everyone's valuable suggestions.
- ，抛砖引玉，。Wǒ de guāndiǎn hěn qiǎnbó, zhǐshì pāo zhuān yǐn yù, huānyíng gèwèi pīpíng zhǐzhèng.My opinion is shallow — it's just my humble offering to invite your criticism and corrections.
- ，，。Zhège tǎolùn, wǒ xiān pāo ge zhuān, xīwàng néng yǐn chū dàjiā de měiyù lái.For this discussion, let me throw out a brick first, hoping to draw out everyone's jade.
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