只欠东风
- Literal
- only the east wind is missing
- Figurative
- To have everything ready except one last crucial condition, often one beyond your control; usually heard as 万事俱备，只欠东风.
Where does 只欠东风 come from?
The episode comes from the novel 《三国演义》, by Luo Guanzhong, in the same campaign as 草船借箭, just before the Battle of Red Cliffs. Zhou Yu has everything ready to attack Cao Cao's fleet with fire, but in the depth of winter there is no east wind to drive the flames toward the enemy, and he falls ill with worry. Zhuge Liang visits him and writes out a sixteen-character "prescription": to defeat Cao Cao, use fire; everything is ready, only the east wind is missing. He then claims he will raise that wind from an altar, and the wind comes. Today it is used when only one last requirement remains.
Source (出处): 罗贯中《三国演义》
How is 只欠东风 used? Two examples
- 装修和家具都弄好了，现在只欠东风，就等燃气公司来通气。
The renovation and furniture are all done; now there's just one last thing, waiting for the gas company to come and connect the supply.
- 新产品万事俱备，只欠东风，审批一下来就能上市。
The new product is ready to go; all it needs is the approval, and the moment that comes through it can hit the market.
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