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HSK 7-9
máoMaosuíSuiselfjiànrecommend
To volunteer one's services; to recommend oneself.

Literal meaning

Mao (毛) — Sui (遂) — self (自) — recommend (荐)

Origin

This idiom comes from the story of Mao Sui in the Records of the Grand Historian (史记). Mao Sui, a retainer of Lord Pingyuan, recommended himself to join a diplomatic mission to the State of Chu, and successfully persuaded the Chu to form an alliance.

Examples

Zàizhèhuìshàngmáosuíjiànchéngdānlezhèxiàngzhòngyàoderèn
At this meeting, he volunteered his services and took on this important task.
guǒyǒunéngshèngrènzhèxiànggōngzuòfángmáosuíjiàn
If you are capable of doing this job, you might as well volunteer your services.

Usage & nuances

Implies confidence and willingness to take on responsibility.

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