Annotations
刮目相對
Rubbing One’s Eyes and Looking Again
Korean: 괄목상대Japanese: 刮目相待（かつもくそうたい）Pinyin: guā mù xiāng dài
Meaning
Someone has improved so much you must rub your eyes and look again — dramatic growth in a short time.
Origin story
Lü Meng of Wu was a brave general mocked for his lack of learning. When his lord Sun Quan urged that a commander above all must read, Lü Meng threw himself into study, book in hand even on campaign. Some time later, Lu Su, debating state affairs with him, was astonished at his insight: "When did you become so learned? You are no longer the country boy A-Meng of Wu!" Lü Meng smiled: "Part from a scholar for three days, and you must rub your eyes when you meet him again." From that proud reply of a self-remade man comes the idiom.
Source: Jiangbiao Zhuan (Pei Songzhi’s annotations to Lü Meng’s biography)
People
Modern examples
- Six months later, the junior dev’s code had improved so much I had to look twice.
- Through relentless practice, the player transformed beyond recognition in a single season.