To penetrate three 分 (almost a centimeter) into a wooden board
Used to indicate that one's views and/or theories are insightful and penetrating. Also used to indicate that one's calligraphy is written forcefully and vigorously
Positive
这篇社论对问题的分析真是入木三分 | Zhè piān shèlùn duì wèntí de fēnxī zhēn shì rùmùsānfēn
This editorial's analysis of the problem is truly profound
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这幅书法作品笔力入木三分，十分精采 | Zhè fú shūfǎ zuòpǐn bǐlì rùmùsānfēn, shífēn jīngcǎi
The strokes in this work of calligraphy are quite vigorous. It's wonderful!
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《书断》(Shū Duàn), the greatest work by 唐 Dynasty (Táng, 618 - 907) calligrapher 张怀瓘 (Zhāng Huái Guàn)
王羲之 (Wáng Xīzhī) was a calligrapher who lived during the Eastern Jìn Dynasty (东晋, 317 - 420). He had an exceptionally unique and beautiful form of calligraphy, with strokes that were simultaneously beautiful and forceful. He is said to have had an innate talent for the art, but on top of that, he worked extremely hard to develop his skills. Regardless of whether he was relaxing or walking, in his head, he would constantly review characters. He also frequently practiced writing characters on his clothing with his fingers, so much so that holes developed in the fabric; and when he practiced by a lake, the lake eventually turned black with ink from the amount of times that he used its waters to clean his brush.
One time, the emperor went to perform a ceremonial offering to his ancestors, and he asked 王羲之 to draw ceremonial text onto a wooden board. He then sent the board off to carpenters so they could carve out the ceremonial text. When workers started working, they were astonished to see that the strokes were almost a centimeter deep.
To this day, several of 王羲之's works have survived, and they have been studied for generations. For his talent and influence, 王羲之is known as the sage of calligraphers