树倒猢狲散 in English shu4 dao3 hu2 sun1 san4 Meaning

Meanings

  • When the tree topples the monkeys scatter. (idiomatic expression); metaphorically an opportunist abandons an unfavorable cause
  • Rats leave a sinking ship.

Simplified Characters

树 倒 猢 狲 散

Traditional Characters

樹 倒 猢 猻 散

Pinyin

shu4 dao3 hu2 sun1 san4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

树shu4tree 倒dao4to fall 猢hu2monkey 狲sun1(monkey) 散san4variant of 散[san4]