打奶 打奶 [dǎ nǎi] /lit. to beat milk/to churn (to make butter)/milk foamer (for cappuccino)/

打退堂鼓 打退堂鼓 [dá tuì táng gǔ] /lit. to beat the return drum/fig. to give up/to turn tail/

伏案 伏案 [fú àn] /lit. to be bent over one's desk (studying or writing)/fig. to work slavishly/

生老病死 生老病死 [shēng lǎo bìng sǐ] /lit. to be born, to grow old, to get sick and to die/fig. the fate of humankind (i.e. mortality)/

墮雲霧中 堕云雾中 [duò yún wù zhōng] /lit. to become lost in a fog (idiom); fig. at a complete loss/

畫地為牢 画地为牢 [huà dì wéi láo] /lit. to be confined within a circle drawn on the ground (idiom)/fig. to confine oneself to a restricted range of activities/

賊頭賊腦 贼头贼脑 [zéi tóu zéi nǎo] /lit. to behave like a thief/furtive/underhand/

聽風就是雨 听风就是雨 [tīng fēng jiù shì yǔ] /lit. to believe in the rain on hearing the wind (idiom)/to believe rumors/to be credulous/

沖昏頭腦 冲昏头脑 [chōng hūn tóu nǎo] /lit. to be muddled in the brain (idiom); fig. excited and unable to act rationally/to go to one's head/

衝昏頭腦 冲昏头脑 [chōng hūn tóu nǎo] /lit. to be muddled in the brain (idiom); fig. excited and unable to act rationally/to go to one's head/

被優化掉 被优化掉 [bèi yōu huà diào] /lit. to be optimized away/to be fired/to be the victim of downsizing/

中箭落馬 中箭落马 [zhòng jiàn luò mǎ] /lit. to be struck by an arrow and fall from one's horse/to suffer a serious setback (idiom)/

咬緊牙關 咬紧牙关 [yǎo jǐn yá guān] /lit. to bite the teeth tightly (idiom); fig. to grit one's teeth and bear the pain/to bite the bullet/

埋天怨地 埋天怨地 [mán tiān yuàn dì] /lit. to blame the heavens and reproach the earth/fig. to rave and rant/

吹毛求疵 吹毛求疵 [chuī máo qiú cī] /lit. to blow apart the hairs upon a fur to discover any defect (idiom); fig. to be fastidious/nitpick/

借箸 借箸 [jiè zhù] /lit. to borrow chopsticks/to make plans for sb else/

破釜沉舟 破釜沉舟 [pò fǔ chén zhōu] /lit. to break the cauldrons and sink the boats (idiom); fig. to cut off one's means of retreat/to burn one's boats/

吐故納新 吐故纳新 [tǔ gù nà xīn] /lit. to breathe out stale air and breathe in fresh (idiom, from Zhuangzi 庄子); fig. to get rid of the old and bring in the new/

一鼻孔出氣 一鼻孔出气 [yī bí kǒng chū qì] /lit. to breathe through the same nostril (idiom); fig. two people say exactly the same thing (usually derog.)/to sing from the same hymn sheet/

負荊請罪 负荆请罪 [fù jīng qǐng zuì] /lit. to bring a bramble and ask for punishment (idiom)/to offer sb a humble apology/

閉門造車 闭门造车 [bì mén zào chē] /lit. to build a cart behind closed doors/to be overly subjective and disregard the outside world (idiom)/

蘭艾同焚 兰艾同焚 [lán ài tóng fén] /lit. to burn both fragrant orchids and stinking weeds (idiom); fig. to destroy indiscriminately the noble and common/the rain falls on the just and unjust alike/

焚琴煮鶴 焚琴煮鹤 [fén qín zhǔ hè] /lit. to burn zithers and cook cranes/fig. to waste valuable resources/to destroy wantonly beautiful things/

破膽 破胆 [pò dǎn] /lit. to bust guts/to terrify/to frighten seriously/

破膽寒心 破胆寒心 [pò dǎn hán xīn] /lit. to bust guts and freeze the heart (idiom); terrifying/to scare sb badly/

買笑追歡 买笑追欢 [mǎi xiào zhuī huān] /lit. to buy smiles to seek happiness/abandon oneself to the pleasures of the flesh (idiom)/

扣屎盔子 扣屎盔子 [kòu shǐ kuī zi5] /(northern dialect) lit. to cap in excrement/fig. to discredit with absurd unfounded accusations/to vilify/

抱薪救火 抱薪救火 [bào xīn jiù huǒ] /lit. to carry firewood to put out a fire (idiom); fig. to make a problem worse by inappropriate action/

閉塞眼睛捉麻雀 闭塞眼睛捉麻雀 [bì sè yǎn jīng zhuō má què] /lit. to catch sparrows blindfolded; to act blindly/

歌舞升平 歌舞升平 [gē wǔ shēng píng] /lit. to celebrate peace with songs and dance (idiom)/fig. to make a show of happiness and prosperity/

化腐朽為神奇 化腐朽为神奇 [huà fǔ xiǔ wéi shén qí] /lit. to change something rotten into something magical (idiom)/

斬釘截鐵 斩钉截铁 [zhǎn dīng jié tiě] /lit. to chop the nail and slice the iron (idiom)/fig. resolute and decisive/unhesitating/categorical/

抱佛腳 抱佛脚 [bào fó jiǎo] /lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet (without ever having burned incense) (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble/panic measures in place of timely preparation/

平時不燒香,臨時抱佛腳 平时不烧香,临时抱佛脚 [píng shí bù shāo xiāng , lín shí bào fó jiǎo] /lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble/doing things at the last minute/to make a hasty last-minute effort (often refers to cramming for exams)/

臨時抱佛腳 临时抱佛脚 [lín shí bào fó jiǎo] /lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble/doing things at the last minute/making a hasty last-minute effort/

蹬鼻子上臉 蹬鼻子上脸 [dēng bí zi5 shàng liǎn] /lit. to climb all over sb/fig. to take advantage of sb's weakness/

翻牆 翻墙 [fān qiáng] /lit. to climb over the wall/fig. to breach the Great Firewall of China/

攀高結貴 攀高结贵 [pān gāo jié guì] /lit. to cling to the high, connect to the rich (idiom); to try to attach oneself to the rich and powerful/social climbing/

聚螢映雪 聚萤映雪 [jù yíng yìng xuě] /lit. to collect fireflies and study by their light (idiom); fig. ambitious student from impoverished background/burning the midnight oil/

櫛風沐雨 栉风沐雨 [zhì fēng mù yǔ] /lit. to comb one's hair in the wind and wash it in the rain (idiom)/fig. to work in the open regardless of the weather/

連軸轉 连轴转 [lián zhóu zhuàn] /lit. to continuously revolve/to work non-stop/to work around the clock (idiom)/

打小算盤 打小算盘 [dǎ xiǎo suàn pán] /lit. to count on a narrow abacus (idiom); petty and scheming selfishly/concerned with petty interests/selfish and uncaring of the interests of others/bean counter/

韜光養晦 韬光养晦 [tāo guāng yǎng huì] /lit. to cover light and nurture in the dark (idiom); to conceal one's strengths and bide one's time/hiding one's light under a bush/

掩耳盜鈴 掩耳盗铃 [yǎn ěr dào líng] /lit. to cover one's ears whilst stealing a bell/to deceive oneself/to bury one's head in the sand (idiom)/

佈囊其口 布囊其口 [bù náng qí kǒu] /lit. to cover sb's mouth with cloth/to gag/fig. to silence/

一刀切 一刀切 [yī dāo qiē] /lit. to cut all at one stroke (idiom); to impose uniformity/one solution fits a diversity of problems/one size fits all/

降世 降世 [jiàng shì] /lit. to descend to earth (of an immortal)/to be born/

過河拆橋 过河拆桥 [guò hé chāi qiáo] /lit. to destroy the bridge after crossing the river (idiom)/fig. to abandon one's benefactor upon achieving one's goal/

運籌帷幄 运筹帷幄 [yùn chóu wéi wò] /lit. to devise battle plan in a tent (idiom)/fig. planning strategies/

刨根 刨根 [páo gēn] /lit. to dig up the root/to get to the heart of (the matter)/

瞎指揮 瞎指挥 [xiā zhǐ huī] /lit. to direct blindly/to issue confused orders/to give contradictory directions/

直搗黃龍 直捣黄龙 [zhí dǎo Huáng Lóng] /lit. to directly attack Huanglong/fig. to directly combat the root of a problem/

說長道短 说长道短 [shuō cháng dào duǎn] /lit. to discuss sb's merits and demerits (idiom); to gossip/

論長道短 论长道短 [lùn cháng dào duǎn] /lit. to discuss sb's merits and demerits (idiom); to gossip/

請將不如激將 请将不如激将 [qǐng jiàng bù rú jī jiàng] /lit. to dispatch a general is not as effective as to excite a general/fig. inciting people to action is more effective than dispatching orders/

祛風 祛风 [qū fēng] /to relieve (cold, rheumatic pain etc)/lit. to dispel pathogenic wind (TCM)/

撥雲見日 拨云见日 [bō yún jiàn rì] /lit. to dispel the clouds and see the sun (idiom); fig. to restore justice/

解剖麻雀 解剖麻雀 [jiě pōu má què] /lit. to dissect a sparrow; fig. a preliminary test on a small sample/

竭澤而漁 竭泽而渔 [jié zé ér yú] /lit. to drain the pond to get at the fish (idiom)/fig. to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs/

照葫蘆畫瓢 照葫芦画瓢 [zhào hú lu5 huà piáo] /lit. to draw a dipper with a gourd as a model (idiom)/fig. to copy slavishly/

依樣畫葫蘆 依样画葫芦 [yī yàng huà hú lu5] /lit. to draw a gourd from the model (idiom)/fig. to copy sth mechanically without attempt at originality/

畫地自限 画地自限 [huà dì zì xiàn] /lit. to draw a line on the ground to keep within (idiom)/fig. to impose restrictions on oneself/

一針見血 一针见血 [yī zhēn jiàn xiě] /lit. to draw blood on the first prick/fig. to hit the nail on the head/

撈錢 捞钱 [lāo qián] /lit. to dredge for money/to make money by reprehensible means/to fish for a quick buck/

鑽空子 钻空子 [zuān kòng zi5] /lit. to drill a hole/to take advantage of a loophole/to exploit an advantage/to seize the opportunity (esp. to do sth bad)/

趕鴨子上架 赶鸭子上架 [gǎn yā zi5 shàng jià] /lit. to drive a duck onto a perch (idiom)/fig. to push sb to do sth way beyond their ability/

輕車熟路 轻车熟路 [qīng chē shú lù] /lit. to drive a lightweight chariot on a familiar road (idiom)/fig. to do sth routinely and with ease/a walk in the park/

饞涎欲滴 馋涎欲滴 [chán xián yù dī] /lit. to drool with desire (idiom)/fig. to hunger for/greedy/

掉書袋 掉书袋 [diào shū dài] /lit. to drop a bag of books (idiom); fig. to drop quotations to appear learned/to quote classical texts as a parade of erudition/

一落千丈 一落千丈 [yī luò qiān zhàng] /lit. to drop a thousand zhang in one fall (idiom)/fig. (of business, popularity etc) to suffer a sudden, devastating decline/to take a dive/

從天而降 从天而降 [cóng tiān ér jiàng] /lit. to drop from the sky (idiom)/fig. to appear unexpectedly/to arise abruptly/out of the blue/to drop into one's lap/

鼓盆 鼓盆 [gǔ pén] /lit. to drum on a bowl/refers to Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子 grieving for his lost wife/fig. grief for a lost wife/

吃皇糧 吃皇粮 [chī huáng liáng] /lit. to eat from government coffers/to serve as a government employee/to live off government money/

自食其力 自食其力 [zì shí qí lì] /lit. to eat off one's own strength (idiom)/fig. to stand on one's own feet/to earn one's own living/

食言 食言 [shí yán] /lit. to eat one's words/to break a promise/to go back on one's word/to renege/unsworn testimony/

食不知味 食不知味 [shí bù zhī wèi] /lit. to eat without tasting the food/worried or downhearted (idiom)/

消愁解悶 消愁解闷 [xiāo chóu jiě mèn] /lit. to eliminate worry and dispel melancholy (idiom); diversion from boredom/to dispel depression or melancholy/to relieve stress/a relaxing pass-time/

走後門 走后门 [zǒu hòu mén] /lit. to enter by the back door/fig. to gain influence by pull or unofficial channels/back door or under the counter connections/

樹碑立傳 树碑立传 [shù bēi lì zhuàn] /lit. to erect a stele and write a biography (idiom)/to monumentalize/to glorify/to sing the praises of/

尋根問底 寻根问底 [xún gēn wèn dǐ] /lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (idiom); to get to the bottom of sth/

盤根問底 盘根问底 [pán gēn wèn dǐ] /lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (idiom); to get to the bottom of sth/

盤根究底 盘根究底 [pán gēn jiū dǐ] /lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (idiom); to get to the bottom of sth/

詢根問底 询根问底 [xún gēn wèn dǐ] /lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (idiom); to get to the bottom of sth/

追根問底 追根问底 [zhuī gēn wèn dǐ] /lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (idiom); to get to the bottom of sth/

向隅 向隅 [xiàng yú] /lit. to face the corner (idiom)/fig. to miss out on sth/

落馬 落马 [luò mǎ] /lit. to fall from a horse/fig. to suffer a setback/to come a cropper/

前怕狼後怕虎 前怕狼后怕虎 [qián pà láng hòu pà hǔ] /lit. to fear the wolf in front and the tiger behind (idiom); fig. needless fears/scare mongering/reds under the beds/

柔腸寸斷 柔肠寸断 [róu cháng cùn duàn] /lit. to feel as if one's intestines have been cut short/broken-hearted (idiom)/

一見高低 一见高低 [yī jiàn gāo dī] /lit. to fight it out with sb to see who is best (idiom)/fig. to cross swords with/to lock horns/

滿目琳琅 满目琳琅 [mǎn mù lín láng] /lit. to fill one's eyes with glittering jewels/a literary masterpiece or sb of extraordinary talent (idiom)/

漫天 漫天 [màn tiān] /lit. to fill the whole sky/everywhere/as far as the eye can see/

漫天遍地 漫天遍地 [màn tiān biàn dì] /lit. to fill the whole sky and cover the land; everywhere/as far as the eye can see/

漫天遍野 漫天遍野 [màn tiān biàn yě] /lit. to fill the whole sky and cover the land; everywhere/as far as the eye can see/

指雞罵狗 指鸡骂狗 [zhǐ jī mà gǒu] /fig. to point at the chicken while scolding the dog (idiom)/lit. to find a scapegoat/

陶冶 陶冶 [táo yě] /lit. to fire pots and smelt metal/fig. to educate/

初露頭角 初露头角 [chū lù tóu jiǎo] /lit. to first show one's horns (idiom); fig. a first show of emerging talent/first sign of emerging talent/budding genius/

大海撈針 大海捞针 [dà hǎi lāo zhēn] /lit. to fish a needle from the sea/to find a needle in a haystack (idiom)/

三天打魚,兩天曬網 三天打鱼,两天晒网 [sān tiān dǎ yú , liǎng tiān shài wǎng] /lit. to fish for three days and sun-dry the nets for two days (proverb)/fig. not to persevere in doing sth/to do sth by fits and starts/

一錘定音 一锤定音 [yī chuí dìng yīn] /lit. to fix the tone with a single hammer blow/fig. to make the final decision/

彈冠相慶 弹冠相庆 [tán guān xiāng qìng] /lit. to flick dust off sb's cap (idiom); to celebrate an official appointment/to congratulate and celebrate (promotion, graduation etc)/

甩包袱 甩包袱 [shuǎi bāo fu5] /lit. to fling off a bundle/fig. to abandon one's responsibility for sth/to wash one's hands of the matter/

駕鶴西去 驾鹤西去 [jià hè xī qù] /lit. to fly on a crane to the Western Paradise/fig. to pass away (idiom)/

別樹一幟 别树一帜 [bié shù yī zhì] /lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom); fig. to act as a loner/to stand out/to develop one's own school/to have attitude of one's own/

別樹一旗 别树一旗 [bié shù yī qí] /lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom); fig. to act as a loner/to stand out/to develop one's own school/to have attitude of one's own/

獨樹一幟 独树一帜 [dú shù yī zhì] /lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom); fig. to act as a loner/to stand out/to develop one's own school/to have attitude of one's own/

騰飛 腾飞 [téng fēi] /lit. to fly upwards swiftly/fig. rapid advance/rapidly developing (situation)/

如法泡製 如法泡制 [rú fǎ pào zhì] /lit. to follow the recipe (idiom)/to follow the same plan/

如法炮製 如法炮制 [rú fǎ páo zhì] /lit. to follow the recipe (idiom)/fig. to follow a set pattern/

順藤摸瓜 顺藤摸瓜 [shùn téng mō guā] /lit. to follow the vine to get to the melon/to track sth following clues/

成軍 成军 [chéng jūn] /lit. to form an army/to set up (team, group, band, organization etc)/to found/opening (ceremony)/to commission (arms system, naval vessel)/to graduate from an apprenticeship/

養癰貽患 养痈贻患 [yǎng yōng yí huàn] /lit. to foster an ulcer and bequeath a calamity (idiom); tolerating budding evil can only lead to disaster/to cherish a viper in one's bosom/

養癰遺患 养痈遗患 [yǎng yōng yí huàn] /lit. to foster an ulcer and bequeath a calamity (idiom); tolerating budding evil can only lead to disaster/to cherish a viper in one's bosom/

現炒現賣 现炒现卖 [xiàn chǎo xiàn mài] /lit. to fry and sell on the spot/fig. (of fresh graduates) to apply the still-fresh knowledge gained in school/

望洋興嘆 望洋兴叹 [wàng yáng xīng tàn] /lit. to gaze at the ocean and lament one's inadequacy (idiom)/fig. to feel powerless and incompetent (to perform a task)/

去蕪存菁 去芜存菁 [qù wú cún jīng] /lit. to get rid of the weeds and keep the flowers/to separate the wheat from the chaff (idiom)/

日出而作,日入而息 日出而作,日入而息 [rì chū ér zuò , rì rù ér xī] /lit. to get up at sunrise and work until sunset (proverb)/fig. to lead a plain and hardworking life/

死馬當活馬醫 死马当活马医 [sǐ mǎ dāng huó mǎ yī] /lit. to give medicine to a dead horse (idiom); fig. to keep trying everything in a desperate situation/

啃書 啃书 [kěn shū] /lit. to gnaw a book/to study/to cram/

越俎代庖 越俎代庖 [yuè zǔ dài páo] /lit. to go beyond the sacrificial altar and take over the kitchen (idiom); fig. to exceed one's place and meddle in other people's affairs/to take matters into one's own hands/

赤膊上陣 赤膊上阵 [chì bó shàng zhèn] /lit. to go into battle bare-breasted (idiom)/fig. to go all out/to come out in the open/

繞彎子 绕弯子 [rào wān zi5] /lit. to go on a long detour/fig. to speak vaguely around the topic without getting to the point/to beat about the bush/

繞彎子兒 绕弯子儿 [rào wān zǐ r5] /lit. to go on a long detour/fig. to speak vaguely around the topic without getting to the point/to beat about the bush/

出大差 出大差 [chū dà chāi] /lit. to go on a long trip/fig. to be sent to the execution ground/

直道而行 直道而行 [zhí dào ér xíng] /lit. to go straight (idiom, from Analects); to act with integrity/

師出無名 师出无名 [shī chū wú míng] /lit. to go to war without just cause (idiom)/to act without justification/

追溯 追溯 [zhuī sù] /lit. to go upstream/to trace sth back to/to date from/

上天入地 上天入地 [shàng tiān rù dì] /lit. to go up to heaven or down to Hades; fig. whichever way, I don't care/to decide to go ahead without foreboding/

垂簾聽政 垂帘听政 [chuí lián tīng zhèng] /lit. to govern from behind the curtain/to rule in place of the emperor (idiom)/

雁過拔毛 雁过拔毛 [yàn guò bá máo] /lit. to grab feathers from a flying goose/fig. to seize any opportunity/pragmatic/

揪錯 揪错 [jiū cuò] /lit. to grab wrong/misconception/blunder/howler/

移花接木 移花接木 [yí huā jiē mù] /lit. to graft flowers onto a tree/to surreptiously substitute one thing for another (idiom)/

食言而肥 食言而肥 [shí yán ér féi] /lit. to grow fat eating one's words (idiom)/fig. not to live up to one's promises/

守株待兔 守株待兔 [shǒu zhū dài tù] /lit. to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits (idiom)/to wait idly for opportunities/to trust to chance rather than show initiative/

守口如瓶 守口如瓶 [shǒu kǒu rú píng] /lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle (idiom); tight-lipped/reticent/not breathing a word/

掛羊頭賣狗肉 挂羊头卖狗肉 [guà yáng tóu mài gǒu ròu] /lit. to hang a sheep's head while selling dog meat (idiom)/fig. to cheat/dishonest advertising/wicked deeds carried out under banner of virtue/

掛牌 挂牌 [guà pái] /lit. to hang up a plate/to open up for business/listed (on stock market)/

倒懸 倒悬 [dào xuán] /lit. to hang upside down/fig. in dire straits/

倒掛 倒挂 [dào guà] /lit. to hang upside down/fig. topsy-turvy and inequitable, e.g. manufacturing and trading costs exceed the sale price (of some goods)/to borrow more than one can ever repay/

恨鐵不成鋼 恨铁不成钢 [hèn tiě bù chéng gāng] /lit. to hate iron for not becoming steel/to feel resentful towards sb for failing to meet expectations and impatient to see improvement (idiom)/

厚積薄發 厚积薄发 [hòu jī bó fā] /lit. to have accumulated knowledge and deliver it slowly (idiom)/good preparation is the key to success/to be well prepared/

已作故人 已作故人 [yǐ zuò gù rén] /lit. to have already written a testament for an old friend/an old friend has passed on (idiom)/

恢恢有餘 恢恢有余 [huī huī yǒu yú] /lit. to have an abundance of space/room to maneuver (idiom)/

巧舌如簧 巧舌如簧 [qiǎo shé rú huáng] /lit. to have a tongue like a reed (idiom)/fig. to have a glib tongue/

有眼不識泰山 有眼不识泰山 [yǒu yǎn bù shí Tài shān] /lit. to have eyes but fail to recognize Mt Tai (idiom)/fig. to fail to recognize sb important or sb's great talent/to be blind to the fact/

束手無策 束手无策 [shù shǒu wú cè] /lit. to have one's hands bound and be unable to do anything about it (idiom); fig. helpless in the face of a crisis/

碰一鼻子灰 碰一鼻子灰 [pèng yī bí zi5 huī] /lit. to have one's nose rubbed in the dirt/fig. to meet with a sharp rebuff/

三旬九食 三旬九食 [sān xún jiǔ shí] /lit. to have only nine meals in thirty days (idiom)/fig. (of a family) on the brink of starvation/in dire straits/

師出有名 师出有名 [shī chū yǒu míng] /lit. to have sufficient reason to send troops (idiom)/to do something with good reason/to have just cause/

三頭六臂 三头六臂 [sān tóu liù bì] /lit. to have three heads and six arms (idiom)/fig. to possess remarkable abilities/a being of formidable powers/

聞一知十 闻一知十 [wén yī zhī shí] /lit. to hear one and know ten (idiom); fig. explain one thing and (he) understands everything/a word to the wise/

一手遮天 一手遮天 [yī shǒu zhē tiān] /lit. to hide the sky with one hand/to hide the truth from the masses/

擦邊球 擦边球 [cā biān qiú] /lit. to hit a ball or shuttlecock on the sideline/fig. to skirt the line legally or morally/

捧腹 捧腹 [pěng fù] /uproarious/hilarious/to split one's sides laughing/lit. to hold one's belly with both hands/

捧腹大笑 捧腹大笑 [pěng fù dà xiào] /uproarious/hilarious/to split one's sides laughing/lit. to hold one's belly with both hands/

智珠在握 智珠在握 [zhì zhū zài wò] /lit. to hold the pearl of wisdom/to be able to cope with all eventualities (idiom)/

捧到天上 捧到天上 [pěng dào tiān shàng] /lit. to hold up to the skies/fig. to praise lavishly/

望子成龍 望子成龙 [wàng zǐ chéng lóng] /lit. to hope one's son becomes a dragon (idiom); fig. to long for one' s child to succeed in life/to have great hopes for one's offspring/to give one's child the best education as a career investment/

打雞血 打鸡血 [dǎ jī xuè] /lit. to inject chicken blood/(coll.) extremely excited or energetic (often used mockingly)/

問鼎 问鼎 [wèn dǐng] /lit. to inquire of the tripods (idiom); fig. to plan to seize power of the whole country/grand ambitions to win/

問鼎中原 问鼎中原 [wèn dǐng zhōng yuán] /lit. to inquire of the tripods (idiom); fig. to plan to seize power of the whole country/grand ambitions to win/

問鼎輕重 问鼎轻重 [wèn dǐng qīng zhòng] /lit. to inquire whether the tripods are light or heavy (idiom); a laughable attempt to seize power/

顛倒黑白 颠倒黑白 [diān dǎo hēi bái] /lit. to invert black and white (idiom); to distort the truth deliberately/to misrepresent the facts/to invert right and wrong/

本末倒置 本末倒置 [běn mò dào zhì] /lit. to invert root and branch (idiom); fig. confusing cause and effect/to stress the incidental over the fundamental/to put the cart before the horse/

灌水 灌水 [guàn shuǐ] /lit. to irrigate/to artificially increase weight/to cook the books/to leave a tasteless message/

聯手 联手 [lián shǒu] /lit. to join hands/to act together/

跳出火坑 跳出火坑 [tiào chū huǒ kēng] /lit. to jump out of a fire pit (idiom); to escape from a living hell/to free oneself from a life of torture/

殺雞給猴看 杀鸡给猴看 [shā jī gěi hóu kàn] /lit. to kill a chicken in front of a monkey; fig. to make an example of sb (by punishment) to frighten others/

卸磨殺驢 卸磨杀驴 [xiè mò shā lu:2] /lit. to kill the donkey when the grinding is done (idiom)/to get rid of sb once he has ceased to be useful/

殺虎斬蛟 杀虎斩蛟 [shā hǔ zhǎn jiāo] /lit. to kill the tiger and behead the scaly dragon/

一知半解 一知半解 [yī zhī bàn jiě] /lit. to know one and understand half (idiom); a smattering of knowledge/dilettante/amateur/

略識之無 略识之无 [lu:è shí zhī wú] /semi-literate/only knows words of one syllable/lit. to know only 之[zhī] and 無|无[wú]/

順手牽羊 顺手牵羊 [shùn shǒu qiān yáng] /lit. to lead away a goat in passing (idiom); to steal sth under cover of an emergency/to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain/

率獸食人 率兽食人 [shuài shòu shí rén] /lit. to lead beasts to eat the people (idiom); fig. tyrannical government oppresses the people/

引水入牆 引水入墙 [yǐn shuǐ rù qiáng] /lit. to lead the water through the wall/to ask for trouble (idiom)/

躥房越脊 蹿房越脊 [cuān fáng yuè jǐ] /lit. to leap the house and cross the roofridge (idiom); dashing over rooftops (of robbers and pursuing knight-errant 俠客|侠客 in fiction)/

縱虎歸山 纵虎归山 [zòng hǔ guī shān] /lit. to let the tiger return to the mountain; fig. to store up future calamities/

臥薪嚐膽 卧薪尝胆 [wò xīn cháng dǎn] /lit. to lie on firewood and taste gall (idiom); fig. suffering patiently, but firmly resolved on revenge/

舉手投足 举手投足 [jǔ shǒu tóu zú] /lit. to lift a hand or move a leg (idiom); very easy/no effort at all/

舉案齊眉 举案齐眉 [jǔ àn qí méi] /lit. to lift the tray to eyebrow level (idiom); mutual respect in a marriage/

喜新厭舊 喜新厌旧 [xǐ xīn yàn jiù] /lit. to like the new, and hate the old (idiom); fig. enamored with new people (e.g. new girlfriend), bored with the old/

抵足而眠 抵足而眠 [dǐ zú ér mián] /lit. to live and sleep together (idiom); fig. a close friendship/

抵足而臥 抵足而卧 [dǐ zú ér wò] /lit. to live and sleep together (idiom); fig. a close friendship/

浮家泛宅 浮家泛宅 [fú jiā fàn zhái] /lit. to live on a boat/to drift from place to place (idiom)/

飯糗茹草 饭糗茹草 [fàn qiǔ rú cǎo] /lit. to live on dry provisions and wild herbs (idiom)/fig. to live in abject poverty/

霧里看花 雾里看花 [wù lǐ kàn huā] /lit. to look at flowers in the fog (idiom); fig. blurred vision/

觀釁伺隙 观衅伺隙 [guān xìn sì xì] /lit. to look for holes, and observe gaps (idiom); to search out one's opponent's weak points/to look for the Achilles heel/

解囊 解囊 [jiě náng] /lit. to loosen one's purse/fig. to give generously to help others/

丟烏紗帽 丢乌纱帽 [diū wū shā mào] /lit. to lose one's black hat/to be sacked from an official post/

愛之如命 爱之如命 [ài zhī rú mìng] /inordinately fond of sth/lit. to love it as one's life/

愛財如命 爱财如命 [ài cái rú mìng] /lit. to love money as much as one's own life (idiom)/fig. avaricious/tightfisted/

俾夜作晝 俾夜作昼 [bǐ yè zuò zhòu] /lit. to make night as day (idiom); fig. to burn the midnight oil/work especially hard/

穿小鞋 穿小鞋 [chuān xiǎo xié] /lit. to make sb wear tight shoes (idiom)/to make life difficult for sb/

狹路相逢 狭路相逢 [xiá lù xiāng féng] /lit. to meet face to face on a narrow path (idiom)/fig. enemies or rivals meet face to face/

迎來送往 迎来送往 [yíng lái sòng wǎng] /lit. to meet those arriving, to send of those departing (idiom); busy entertaining guests/all time taken over with social niceties/

亡羊補牢 亡羊补牢 [wáng yáng bǔ láo] /lit. to mend the pen after sheep are lost (idiom)/fig. to act belatedly/better late than never/to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted/

好心倒做了驢肝肺 好心倒做了驴肝肺 [hǎo xīn dào zuò le5 lu:2 gān fēi] /lit. to mistake good intentions for a donkey's liver and lungs (idiom)/fig. to mistake good intentions for ill intent/

誤上賊船 误上贼船 [wù shàng zéi chuán] /lit. to mistakenly board a pirate ship/to embark on a hopeless adventure/

移山倒海 移山倒海 [yí shān dǎo hǎi] /lit. to move mountains and drain seas/to transform nature/

搬楦頭 搬楦头 [bān xuàn tou5] /lit. to move the shoes on the shoe tree (idiom)/fig. to expose shameful secrets (old)/

羅雀掘鼠 罗雀掘鼠 [luó què jué shǔ] /lit. to net birds and dig for rats (idiom); fig. hard pressed for cash/on the verge of bankruptcy/

不顯山不露水 不显山不露水 [bù xiǎn shān bù lù shuǐ] /lit. to not show the mountain and to not reveal the water (idiom); fig. to hide the key facts/

養虎為患 养虎为患 [yǎng hǔ wéi huàn] /lit. to nurture a tiger invites calamity/fig. to indulge one's enemy is asking for trouble (idiom)/

占著茅坑不拉屎 占着茅坑不拉屎 [zhàn zhe5 máo kēng bù lā shǐ] /lit. to occupy a latrine but not shit (proverb)/fig. to be a dog in the manger/

三茶六飯 三茶六饭 [sān chá liù fàn] /lit. to offer three kinds of tea and six different dishes/to be extremely considerate towards guests (idiom)/

目不暇接 目不暇接 [mù bù xiá jiē] /lit. too much for the eye to take in (idiom); a feast for the eyes/

開黑店 开黑店 [kāi hēi diàn] /lit. to open an inn that kills and robs guests (esp. in traditional fiction)/fig. to carry out a scam/to run a protection racket/daylight robbery/

開源節流 开源节流 [kāi yuán jié liú] /lit. to open a water source and reduce outflow (idiom); to increase income and save on spending/to broaden the sources of income and economize on expenditure/

披肝瀝膽 披肝沥胆 [pī gān lì dǎn] /lit. to open one's liver and drip gall (idiom); whole-hearted loyalty/

開門見山 开门见山 [kāi mén jiàn shān] /lit. to open the door and see the mountain; fig. to get right to the point (idiom)/

頤指氣使 颐指气使 [yí zhǐ qì shǐ] /lit. to order people by pointing the chin (idiom); to signal orders by facial gesture/arrogant and bossy/

頤指風使 颐指风使 [yí zhǐ fēng shǐ] /lit. to order people by pointing the chin (idiom); to signal orders by facial gesture/arrogant and bossy/

雙管齊下 双管齐下 [shuāng guǎn qí xià] /lit. to paint holding two brushes (idiom); fig. to work on two tasks at the same time/to attack one problem from two angles at the same time/

鑽牛角尖 钻牛角尖 [zuān niú jiǎo jiān] /lit. to penetrate into a bull's horn (idiom); fig. to waste time on an insoluble or insignificant problem/to bash one's head against a brick wall/a wild goose chase/a blind alley/to split hairs/

拈花惹草 拈花惹草 [niān huā rě cǎo] /lit. to pick the flowers and trample the grass (idiom)/fig. to womanize/to frequent brothels/to sow one's wild oats/

堆砌 堆砌 [duī qì] /lit. to pile up (bricks)/to pack/fig. to pad out (writing with fancy phrases)/ornate rhetoric/

對牛彈琴 对牛弹琴 [duì niú tán qín] /lit. to play the lute to a cow (idiom)/fig. offering a treat to an unappreciative audience/to cast pearls before swine/caviar to the general/to preach to deaf ears/to talk over sb's head/

濫竽充數 滥竽充数 [làn yú chōng shù] /lit. to play the yu 竽 mouth organ to make up numbers (idiom); fig. to make up the numbers with inferior products/to masquerade as having an ability/token member of a group/

指桑罵槐 指桑骂槐 [zhǐ sāng mà huái] /lit. to point at the mulberry tree and curse the locust tree/fig. to scold sb indirectly/to make oblique accusations (idiom)/

潑冷水 泼冷水 [pō lěng shuǐ] /lit. to pour cold water on/fig. to dampen one's enthusiasm/

狗血淋頭 狗血淋头 [gǒu xuè lín tóu] /lit. to pour dogs blood on/to curse or berate sb (idiom)/

修煉成仙 修炼成仙 [xiū liàn chéng xiān] /lit. to practice austerities to become a Daoist immortal/practice makes perfect/

厚死薄生 厚死薄生 [hòu sǐ bó shēng] /lit. to praise the dead and revile the living/fig. to live in the past (idiom)/

無病自灸 无病自灸 [wú bìng zì jiǔ] /lit. to prescribe moxibustion for oneself when not ill; to cause oneself trouble with superfluous action/

對症下藥 对症下药 [duì zhèng xià yào] /lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it/to take appropriate steps/

對症發藥 对症发药 [duì zhèng fā yào] /lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it/to take appropriate steps/

稱霸 称霸 [chēng bà] /lit. to proclaim oneself hegemon/to take a leading role/to build a personal fiefdom/

掰開揉碎 掰开揉碎 [bāi kāi róu suì] /lit. to pull apart and knead to a pulp/fig. to analyze minutely from every angle/to chew sth over/

引蛇出洞 引蛇出洞 [yǐn shé chū dòng] /lit. to pull a snake from its hole/to expose a malefactor (idiom)/

火中取栗 火中取栗 [huǒ zhōng qǔ lì] /lit. to pull chestnuts out of the fire (idiom)/fig. to be sb's cat's-paw/

拖下水 拖下水 [tuō xià shuǐ] /lit. to pull sb into the water/to involve sb in a messy business/to get sb into trouble/

拖人下水 拖人下水 [tuō rén xià shuǐ] /lit. to pull sb into the water/fig. to involve sb in a messy business/to get sb into trouble/

拳打腳踢 拳打脚踢 [quán dǎ jiǎo tī] /lit. to punch and kick (idiom); to beat up/fig. determined to sort out a problem/

小懲大誡 小惩大诫 [xiǎo chéng dà jiè] /lit. to punish a little to prevent a lot (idiom); to criticize former mistakes firmly to prevent large scale repetition/

懲前毖後 惩前毖后 [chéng qián bì hòu] /lit. to punish those before to prevent those after (idiom); to criticize former mistakes firmly to prevent them happening again/

順水推舟 顺水推舟 [shùn shuǐ tuī zhōu] /lit. to push the boat with the current/fig. to take advantage of the situation for one's own benefit/

順水推船 顺水推船 [shùn shuǐ tuī chuán] /lit. to push the boat with the current/fig. to take advantage of the situation for one's own benefit/

捋臂揎拳 捋臂揎拳 [luō bì xuān quán] /lit. to push up one's sleeves and bare one's fists/to be eager to get started/

洛陽紙貴 洛阳纸贵 [Luò yáng zhǐ guì] /lit. to push up paper prices in Luoyang (idiom); fig. sensational popularity of a new book/

撂挑 撂挑 [liào tiāo] /lit. to put down the load/to quit one's job or responsibiities/

和盤托出 和盘托出 [hé pán tuō chū] /lit. to put everything out including the tray/to reveal everything/to make a clean breast of it all/

張冠李戴 张冠李戴 [Zhāng guān Lǐ dài] /lit. to put Zhang's hat on Li's head/to attribute sth to the wrong person (idiom)/to confuse one thing with another/

望梅止渴 望梅止渴 [wàng méi zhǐ kě] /lit. to quench one's thirst by thinking of plums (idiom)/fig. to console oneself with illusions/

引經據典 引经据典 [yǐn jīng jù diǎn] /lit. to quote the classics/to quote chapter and verse (idiom)/

沿岸 沿岸 [yán àn] /coastal area/littoral or riparian/

升堂入室 升堂入室 [shēng táng rù shì] /lit. to reach the main room and enter the chamber (idiom)/fig. to gradually attain proficiency/to attain a higher level/

及鋒而試 及锋而试 [jí fēng ér shì] /lit. to reach the tip and try (idiom); to have a go when at one's peak/

叱咤風雲 叱咤风云 [chì zhà fēng yún] /lit. to rebuke Heaven and Earth (idiom); fig. shaking the whole world/all-powerful/

投鼠忌器 投鼠忌器 [tóu shǔ jì qì] /lit. to refrain from shooting at the rat for fear of breaking the vases (idiom)/to not act against an evil so as to prevent harm to innocents/

懸崖勒馬 悬崖勒马 [xuán yá lè mǎ] /lit. to rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice (idiom); fig. to act in the nick of time/

革面洗心 革面洗心 [gé miàn xǐ xīn] /lit. to renew one's face and wash one's heart (idiom); to repent sincerely and mend one's mistaken ways/to turn over a new leaf/

重整旗鼓 重整旗鼓 [chóng zhěng qí gǔ] /lit. to reorganize flags and drums (idiom); to regroup after a setback/to prepare for new initiatives/to attempt a comeback/

解民倒懸 解民倒悬 [jiě mín dào xuán] /lit. to rescue the people from hanging upside down (idiom, from Mencius); to save the people from dire straits/

應天承運 应天承运 [yìng tiān chéng yùn] /lit. to respond to heaven and suit the times (idiom); to rule according to the will of heaven/the Divine Right of kings/

應天順時 应天顺时 [yìng tiān shùn shí] /lit. to respond to heaven and suit the times (idiom); to rule according to the will of heaven/the Divine Right of kings/

雙宿雙飛 双宿双飞 [shuāng sù shuāng fēi] /lit. to rest and fly together (idiom)/fig. to live in each other's pockets/to be inseparable/

更張 更张 [gēng zhāng] /lit. to restring one's bow/to reform and start over again/

退避三捨 退避三舍 [tuì bì sān shè] /lit. to retreat three day's march (idiom); fig. to give way in the face of superior strength/a strategic withdrawal/

東歸 东归 [dōng guī] /lit. to return east/fig. to return to one's homeland/

完璧歸趙 完璧归赵 [wán bì guī Zhào] /lit. to return the jade annulus to Zhao (idiom); fig. to return something intact to its rightful owner/

東山再起 东山再起 [dōng shān zài qǐ] /lit. to return to office after living as a hermit on Mount Dongshan (idiom); fig. to make a comeback/

回天 回天 [huí tiān] /lit. to reverse the rotation of the sky/fig. to reverse a desperate situation/

跨鶴揚州 跨鹤扬州 [kuà hè Yáng zhōu] /lit. to ride a crane to Yangzhou/to become a Daoist immortal/to die/

騎鶴上揚州 骑鹤上扬州 [qí hè shàng Yáng zhōu] /lit. to ride a crane to Yangzhou (idiom); to get an official position/

汗馬功勞 汗马功劳 [hàn mǎ gōng láo] /lit. to ride a laboring horse to great deeds/fig. a heroic contribution/

乘堅策肥 乘坚策肥 [chéng jiān cè féi] /to live in luxury/lit. to ride a solid carriage pulled by fat horses/

長風破浪 长风破浪 [cháng fēng pò làng] /lit. to ride the wind and crest the waves/to be ambitious and unafraid (idiom)/

粉身碎骨 粉身碎骨 [fěn shēn suì gǔ] /lit. torn body and crushed bones (idiom)/fig. to die horribly/to sacrifice one's life/

軋馬路 轧马路 [yà mǎ lù] /lit. to roll the pavement/(slang, of a young couple) to wander through the streets (because of having no place to go)/

抹一鼻子灰 抹一鼻子灰 [mǒ yī bí zi5 huī] /lit. to rub one's nose with dust/to suffer a snub/to meet with a rebuff/

功虧一簣 功亏一篑 [gōng kuī yī kuì] /lit. to ruin the enterprise for the sake of one basketful/to fail through lack of a final effort/to spoil the ship for a ha'penny worth of tar (idiom)/

撲空 扑空 [pū kōng] /lit. to rush at thin air/fig. to miss one's aim/to have nothing to show for one's troubles/

喫不到葡萄說葡萄酸 吃不到葡萄说葡萄酸 [chī bù dào pú tao5 shuō pú tao5 suān] /sour grapes (set expr. based on Aesop)/lit. to say grapes are sour when you can't eat them/

說葡萄酸 说葡萄酸 [shuō pú tao5 suān] /sour grapes (set expr. based on Aesop)/lit. to say grapes are sour when you can't eat them/

騎驢找驢 骑驴找驴 [qí lu:2 zhǎo lu:2] /lit. to search for the mule while riding on it (idiom)/fig. to look for what one already has/

杯弓蛇影 杯弓蛇影 [bēi gōng shé yǐng] /lit. to see a bow reflected in a cup as a snake (idiom); fig. unnecessary suspicions/overly fearful/

見縫插針 见缝插针 [jiàn fèng chā zhēn] /lit. to see a gap and stick in a needle (idiom); fig. to make use of every second and every inch/

管中窺豹 管中窥豹 [guǎn zhōng kuī bào] /lit. to see a leopard through a narrow tube (idiom); fig. to miss the big picture/

窺豹 窥豹 [kuī bào] /lit. to see one spot on a leopard/fig. a restricted view/

望塵莫及 望尘莫及 [wàng chén mò jí] /lit. to see only the other rider's dust and have no hope of catching up (idiom)/to be far inferior/

攬轡澄清 揽辔澄清 [lǎn pèi chéng qīng] /lit. to seize the reins and quell disorder/to act quickly and decisively (idiom)/

熱炒熱賣 热炒热卖 [rè chǎo rè mài] /lit. to sell hot food freshly cooked; fig. to teach what one has just learned/enthusiasm of the new convert/

雪中送炭 雪中送炭 [xuě zhōng sòng tàn] /lit. to send coal during snow (idiom); fig. timely help/to provide help when one most needs it/

秋後算賬 秋后算账 [qiū hòu suàn zhàng] /lit. to settle accounts after autumn/settle scores at an opportune moment (idiom)/

另起爐灶 另起炉灶 [lìng qǐ lú zào] /lit. to set up a separate kitchen (idiom); to start from scratch/back to square one/to start of on a new path/

擺地攤 摆地摊 [bǎi dì tān] /lit. to set up a stall on the ground/fig. to start up a new business/

定鼎 定鼎 [dìng dǐng] /lit. to set up the sacred tripods (following Yu the Great)/to fix the capital/to found a dynasty/used in advertising/

烘雲托月 烘云托月 [hōng yún tuō yuè] /lit. to shade in the clouds to offset the moon (idiom); fig. a foil/a contrasting character to a main hero/

搖身 摇身 [yáo shēn] /lit. to shake one's body/refers to abrupt transformation/same as 搖身一變|摇身一变/

投袂而起 投袂而起 [tóu mèi ér qǐ] /lit. to shake one's sleeves and rise (idiom)/fig. to get excited and move to action/

同床異夢 同床异梦 [tóng chuáng yì mèng] /lit. to share the same bed with different dreams (idiom); ostensible partners with different agendas/strange bedfellows/marital dissension/

脫皮掉肉 脱皮掉肉 [tuō pí diào ròu] /lit. to shed skin, drop flesh/to work as hard as possible/to work one's butt off/

左右開弓 左右开弓 [zuǒ yòu kāi gōng] /lit. to shoot from both sides/fig. to display ambidexterity/to slap with one hand and then the other, in quick succession/to use both feet equally (football)/

吆五喝六 吆五喝六 [yāo wǔ hè liù] /lit. to shout out hoping for fives and sixes when gambling with dice; a hubbub of gambling/

唱雙簧 唱双簧 [chàng shuāng huáng] /lit. to sing a duet/fig. to collaborate with sb/also used satirically: to play second fiddle to/

拍案 拍案 [pāi àn] /lit. to slap the table (in amazement, praise, anger, resentment etc)/fig. astonishing!, wonderful!, dreadful! etc/

拍案而起 拍案而起 [pāi àn ér qǐ] /lit. to slap the table and stand up (idiom); fig. at the end of one's tether/unable to take it any more/

破罐破摔 破罐破摔 [pò guàn pò shuāi] /lit. to smash a cracked pot (idiom); crazy despair in the face of a blemish, defect, error or setback/

破碗破摔 破碗破摔 [pò wǎn pò shuāi] /lit. to smash a cracked pot; fig. to treat oneself as hopeless and act crazily/

同日而語 同日而语 [tóng rì ér yǔ] /lit. to speak of two things on the same day (idiom); to mention things on equal terms (often with negatives: you can't mention X at the same time as Y)/

抽絲剝繭 抽丝剥茧 [chōu sī bāo jiǎn] /lit. to spin silk from cocoons/fig. to make a painstaking investigation (idiom)/

嘔心瀝血 呕心沥血 [ǒu xīn lì xuè] /lit. to spit out one's heart and spill blood (idiom)/to work one's heart out/blood, sweat and tears/

揮金如土 挥金如土 [huī jīn rú tǔ] /lit. to squander money like dirt/extravagant/to spend money like water/

見縫就鑽 见缝就钻 [jiàn fèng jiù zuān] /lit. to squeeze into every crack (idiom)/fig. to make the most of every opportunity/

擠牙膏 挤牙膏 [jǐ yá gāo] /lit. to squeeze out toothpaste/fig. to extract a confession under pressure/

鼎立 鼎立 [dǐng lì] /lit. to stand like the three legs of a tripod/tripartite confrontation or balance of forces/

腳踏兩條船 脚踏两条船 [jiǎo tà liǎng tiáo chuán] /lit. to stand with each foot in a different boat (idiom)/fig. to have it both ways/to run after two hares/(especially) to have two lovers at the same time/

仰屋著書 仰屋著书 [yǎng wū zhù shū] /lit. to stare at the ceiling while writing a book (idiom); to put one's whole body and soul into a book/

偷梁換柱 偷梁换柱 [tōu liáng huàn zhù] /lit. to steal a rafter and replace it with a column/to replace the original with a fake/to perpetrate a fraud (idiom)/

折衝樽俎 折冲樽俎 [zhé chōng zūn zǔ] /lit. to stop the enemy at the banquet table/fig. to get the better of an enemy during diplomatic functions/

以卵擊石 以卵击石 [yǐ luǎn jī shí] /lit. to strike a stone with egg (idiom); to attempt the impossible/to invite disaster by overreaching oneself/

左右逢源 左右逢源 [zuǒ yòu féng yuán] /lit. to strike water right and left (idiom)/fig. to turn everything into gold/to have everything going one's way/to benefit from both sides/

倒打一耙 倒打一耙 [dào dǎ yī pá] /lit. to strike with a muck-rake (idiom), cf Pigsy 豬八戒|猪八戒 in Journey to the West 西遊記|西游记; fig. to counter-attack/to make bogus accusations (against one's victim)/

捋虎鬚 捋虎须 [luō hǔ xū] /lit. to stroke the tiger's whiskers/to do sth very daring/

打腫臉充胖子 打肿脸充胖子 [dǎ zhǒng liǎn chōng pàng zi5] /lit. to swell one's face up by slapping it to look imposing (idiom); to seek to impress by feigning more than one's abilities/

分道揚鑣 分道扬镳 [fēn dào yáng biāo] /lit. to take different roads and urge the horses on (idiom)/fig. to part ways/

幸災樂禍 幸灾乐祸 [xìng zāi lè huò] /lit. to take joy in calamity and delight in disaster (idiom); fig. to rejoice in other people's misfortune/Schadenfreude/

斷章取義 断章取义 [duàn zhāng qǔ yì] /lit. to take meaning from cut segment (idiom); to interpret out of context/to focus attention on one phrase without regard to the meaning of the whole piece/

摘帽 摘帽 [zhāi mào] /lit. to take off a hat/fig. to be cleared of an unfair charge/rehabilitation/

摘帽子 摘帽子 [zhāi mào zi5] /lit. to take off a hat/fig. to be cleared of an unfair charge/rehabilitation/

脫褲子放屁 脱裤子放屁 [tuō kù zi5 fàng pì] /lit. to take off trousers to fart/fig. to do something absolutely unnecessary/fig. to make things too complicated/

對號入座 对号入座 [duì hào rù zuò] /lit. to take one's appointed place (according to the seat number)/fig. to put sb in his place/to accept one's social role/to admit criticism/

撕票 撕票 [sī piào] /lit. to tear the ticket/to kill a hostage (usually held for ransom)/

拋磚引玉 抛砖引玉 [pāo zhuān yǐn yù] /lit. to throw a brick to attract jade (idiom); fig. I offer a humble remark, please give us your valued opinion (e.g. commonplace remarks as a foreword to a distinguished speech)/

石沉大海 石沉大海 [shí chén dà hǎi] /lit. to throw a stone and see it sink without trace in the sea (idiom)/fig. to elicit no response/

排山倒海 排山倒海 [pái shān dǎo hǎi] /lit. to topple the mountains and overturn the seas (idiom); earth-shattering/fig. gigantic/of spectacular significance/

投石問路 投石问路 [tóu shí wèn lù] /lit. to toss a stone to find out what's ahead (idiom)/fig. to test the waters/

貂裘換酒 貂裘换酒 [diāo qiú huàn jiǔ] /lit. to trade a fur coat for a glass of wine/extravagant in the extreme (idiom)/

偷雞不成蝕把米 偷鸡不成蚀把米 [tōu jī bù chéng shí bǎ mǐ] /lit. to try to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice used to lure it (idiom)/fig. to try to gain an advantage only to end up worse off/to go for wool and come back shorn/

弦而鼓之 弦而鼓之 [xián ér gǔ zhī] /lit. to tune one's zither then play it; fig. to live by the consequences of one's actions/to make one's bed then lie on it/

化為泡影 化为泡影 [huà wéi pào yǐng] /lit. to turn into soap bubbles/to come to nothing (idiom)/

開小灶 开小灶 [kāi xiǎo zào] /lit. to turn on a private oven/to get special attention/

反掌 反掌 [fǎn zhǎng] /lit. to turn over one's palm/fig. everything is going very well./

病急亂投醫 病急乱投医 [bìng jí luàn tóu yī] /lit. to turn to any doctor one can find when critically ill (idiom); fig. to try anyone or anything in a crisis/

解釦 解扣 [jiě kòu] /lit. to unbutton/fig. to solve a dispute/


Data was adapted from CC-CEDICT
Community maintained free Chinese-English dictionary.

Published by MDBG

License:
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Referenced works:
CEDICT - Copyright (C) 1997, 1998 Paul Andrew Denisowski

CC-CEDICT can be downloaded from:
http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=cc-cedict

Additions and corrections can be sent through:
http://cc-cedict.org/editor/editor.php

For more information about CC-CEDICT see:
http://cc-cedict.org/wiki/

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