‘摘星’ literally means ‘to pluck stars’—a vivid, poetic image drawn from classical Chinese literature and mythology. Neither character carries its everyday meaning here: 摘 usually means ‘to pick’ or ‘to pluck’, and 星 means ‘star’, but together they form an idiom expressing the ambition to achieve something extraordinarily lofty, even seemingly impossible. It evokes awe, aspiration, and romantic idealism—like reaching for celestial bodies beyond human grasp.

This phrase is rarely used in literal contexts; instead, it appears in literary writing, speeches, song lyrics, and motivational language to praise bold vision or criticize unrealistic dreams. It often pairs with verbs like ‘追逐’ (chase), ‘怀抱’ (hold), or ‘梦想’ (dream), and may carry positive connotations of courage and imagination—or ironic ones, depending on tone and context. While not common in daily spoken Mandarin, it’s widely recognized and valued for its rhetorical elegance and emotional resonance.