The idiom "小心翼翼" is formed through a classical Chinese structural pattern where the core meaning "小心" (xiǎoxīn), meaning "careful" or "cautious," is intensified and vividly illustrated by the doubling reduplication "翼翼" (yìyì). This latter component does not stand alone as a modern word but is an archaic descriptive term meaning "solemn and respectful" or "in a reverent and cautious manner," often used in ancient texts to describe a state of devout awe. By combining them, the phrase creates a powerful metaphorical image of someone proceeding with extreme care, as if walking on thin ice or handling sacred objects, with "翼翼" acting as an adverbial complement that heightens the degree of caution implied by "小心." The idiom originates from the *Book of Songs* (*诗经*), where it described the solemn reverence of figures in sacrificial ceremonies, and its formation exemplifies how classical Chinese compounds meaning through layered, evocative repetition.