The phrase "临渊羡鱼" is formed by sequentially combining four characters: "临" meaning "to face" or "be near", "渊" meaning "deep pool" or "abyss", "羡" meaning "to admire" or "envy", and "鱼" meaning "fish". It originates from classical Chinese texts, such as the "Huainanzi", where it appears in the fuller expression "临渊羡鱼，不如退而结网". The phrase constructs a literal image of facing a deep pool and admiring the fish within it, which serves as a metaphorical expression for harboring desires without taking concrete steps to fulfill them.