‘展翅’ literally means ‘to spread one’s wings’—combining 展 (zhǎn), meaning ‘to unfold, extend, or spread’, and 翅 (chì), meaning ‘wing’. While it describes the physical action of birds or insects opening their wings for flight, it is most commonly used figuratively to express launching into ambitious new ventures, pursuing dreams, or entering a phase of growth and independence.

This expression carries strong positive connotations of aspiration, potential, and liberation. It appears frequently in motivational contexts—such as graduation speeches, entrepreneurial stories, or youth development programs—and often pairs with subjects like young people, startups, or emerging talents. Though rooted in avian imagery, its figurative use far outweighs literal usage in modern Chinese, making it a poetic yet widely understood idiom for taking bold, forward-looking steps.