照。。。不误 / meaning of 照 here

[Scoobyqueen]

I understand the meaning and also how to use this expression. I am curious to know what 照 means literally in this context. Does it mean "illuminate" or "shine" or "according to". I cant quite see how the literal meaning would culminate in this idiomatic expression.

Cheers in advance for any "illumination".

[semantic nuance]

照 here can mean '照樣', which means 'still'. No matter what, someone still V something without considering the result. To me, the literal meaning of 照 in your case is similar to 'according to'. So, literally, 照樣 can mean 'according to this manner, according to this way". Here's the explanation of 照樣.

Hope it helps!

[anonymoose]

What about the 照 in this phrase?

捡起一块砖头照他砍去

I guess it means something like 朝 or 往, but I haven't noticed it being used like this before.

[skylee]

anonymoose, take a look at this page -> http://xh.5156edu.com/html3/10613.html

照

zhào

【介】

表示方向,可加助词“着”,相当于“对”、“向”〖to;towards;inthedirectionof;etc.〗

过了一个小石桥,照着那极窄的石磴走上去,又是一座大庙。——《儒林外史》

又如:照着(对着;朝着)