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- 一不做，二不休 一不做，二不休 [yi1 bu4 zuo4 , er4 bu4 xiu1] /don't do it, or don't rest (成语 saw); either give up, or go through to the end/Since we started, we must carry it through whatever happens./in for a penny, in for a pound/

- 一丘之貉 一丘之貉 [yi1 qiu1 zhi1 hao2] /jackals of the same tribe (成语 saw); fig. They are all just as bad as each other./

- 一五一十 一五一十 [yi1 wu3 yi1 shi2] /lit. count by fives and tens (成语 saw); to narrate systematically and in full detail/

- 一人得道，雞犬升天 一人得道，鸡犬升天 [yi1 ren2 de2 dao4 , ji1 quan3 sheng1 tian1] /lit. one man achieves the Dao, cock and dog fly heavenwards (成语 saw); fig. to ride on sb else's success/Once one man gets a government position, all his cronies get in too./Once sb has cracked the problem, every Tom, Dick and Harry can do it./

- 一個蘿蔔一個坑 一个萝卜一个坑 [yi1 ge4 luo2 bo5 yi1 ge4 keng1] /lit. one turnip, one hole (成语 saw); fig. each person has his own position/each to his own/horses for courses/

- 一傳十，十傳百 一传十，十传百 [yi1 chuan2 shi2 , shi2 chuan2 bai3] /news pass quickly from mouth to mouth (成语 saw)/an infectious disease spreads quickly (old meaning)/

- 一刀兩斷 一刀两断 [yi1 dao1 liang3 duan4] /lit. one knife to cut two segments (成语 saw); to make a clean break/firm resolution to break off a relation/

- 一刀切 一刀切 [yi1 dao1 qie1] /lit. to cut all at one stroke (成语 saw); to impose uniformity/one solution fits a diversity of problems/one size fits all/

- 一反常態 一反常态 [yi1 fan3 chang2 tai4] /complete change from the normal state (成语 saw); quite uncharacteristic/entirely outside the norm/out of character/

- 一命嗚呼 一命呜呼 [yi1 ming4 wu1 hu1] /one's life, one word (成语 saw); to die/to breathe one's last/to give up the ghost/

- 一哄而散 一哄而散 [yi1 hong4 er2 san4] /to disperse in confusion (成语 saw)/

- 一問三不知 一问三不知 [yi1 wen4 san1 bu4 zhi1] /lit. to reply "don't know" whatever the question (成语 saw); absolutely no idea of what's going on/complete ignorance/

- 一回生，二回熟 一回生，二回熟 [yi1 hui2 sheng1 , er4 hui2 shu2] /lit. at first raw, later ripe (成语 saw); unfamiliar at first but you get used to it/strangers at first meeting, but soon friends/awkward at first but becoming skillful later/an acquired taste/

- 一塌糊塗 一塌糊涂 [yi1 ta1 hu2 tu5] /muddled and completely collapsing (成语 saw); in an awful condition/complete shambles/a total mess/

- 一塵不染 一尘不染 [yi1 chen2 bu4 ran3] /untainted by even a speck of dust (成语 saw); selfless and incorruptible/spotless/

- 一夫當關，萬夫莫開 一夫当关，万夫莫开 [yi1 fu1 dang1 guan1 , wan4 fu1 mo4 kai1] /If one man holds the pass, ten thousand cannot pass (成语 saw); One man can hold the pass against ten thousand enemies/

- 一失足成千古恨 一失足成千古恨 [yi1 shi1 zu2 cheng2 qian1 gu3 hen4] /lit. one wrong step causes thousand hatred (成语 saw)/A single slip may cause lasting sorrow./

- 一如既往 一如既往 [yi1 ru2 ji4 wang3] /just as in the past (成语 saw); as before/continuing as always/

- 一字千金 一字千金 [yi1 zi4 qian1 jin1] /one word worth a thousand in gold (成语 saw); valuable advice/words of enormous weight/

- 一帆風順 一帆风顺 [yi1 fan2 feng1 shun4] /single sail, gentle wind (成语 saw); plain sailing/to go smoothly/

- 一干二淨 一干二净 [yi1 gan1 er4 jing4] /thorough (成语 saw); complete/one and all/

- 一年被蛇咬十年怕井繩 一年被蛇咬十年怕井绳 [yi1 nian2 bei4 she2 yao3 shi2 nian2 pa4 jing3 sheng2] /bitten by a snake in one year, fears the well rope for ten years (成语 saw); once bitten twice shy/

- 一彈指頃 一弹指顷 [yi1 tan2 zhi3 qing3] /a snap of the fingers (成语 saw); in a flash/in the twinkling of an eye/

- 一成不變 一成不变 [yi1 cheng2 bu4 bian4] /nothing much changes (成语 saw); always the same/stuck in a rut/

- 一拍即合 一拍即合 [yi1 pai1 ji2 he2] /lit. on the beat, together now (成语 saw); Start dancing!/fig. things fit together at one go/to click together/to chime in easily/

- 一擲千金 一掷千金 [yi1 zhi4 qian1 jin1] /lit. stake a thousand pieces of gold on one throw (成语 saw); to throw away money recklessly/extravagant/

- 一改故轍 一改故辙 [yi1 gai3 gu4 zhe2] /complete change from the old rut (成语 saw); dramatic change of direction/a volte-face/to change old practices/

- 一敗塗地 一败涂地 [yi1 bai4 tu2 di4] /failed and wiped over the floor (成语 saw); to fail utterly/a crushing defeat/beaten and in a hopeless position/

- 一望無際 一望无际 [yi1 wang4 wu2 ji4] /as far as the eye can see (成语 saw)/

- 一本萬利 一本万利 [yi1 ben3 wan4 li4] /small capital, huge profit (成语 saw); to put in a little and get a lot out/

- 一板一眼 一板一眼 [yi1 ban3 yi1 yan3] /lit. one strong beat and one weak beats in a measure of music (two beats in the bar) (成语 saw); fig. follow a prescribed pattern to the letter/scrupulous attention to detail/

- 一板三眼 一板三眼 [yi1 ban3 san1 yan3] /lit. one strong beat and three weak beats in a measure of music (four beats in the bar) (成语 saw); fig. scrupulous attention to detail/

- 一模一樣 一模一样 [yi1 mo2 yi1 yang4] /exactly the same (成语 saw)/carbon copy/

- 一步一個腳印 一步一个脚印 [yi1 bu4 yi1 ge4 jiao3 yin4] /one step, one footprint (成语 saw); steady progress/reliable/

- 一步登天 一步登天 [yi1 bu4 deng1 tian1] /reaching heaven in a single bound (成语 saw); (esp. with negative: don't expect) instant success/

- 一波三摺 一波三折 [yi1 bo1 san1 zhe2] /wave with many fold (成语 saw); calligraphic flourish with many twists/fig. many twists and turns/

- 一波未平，一波又起 一波未平，一波又起 [yi1 bo1 wei4 ping2 , yi1 bo1 you4 qi3] /before the first wave subsides, a new wave rises (成语 saw); a new problem arises before the old is solved/many twists and turns to a story/one thing after another/

- 一無所有 一无所有 [yi1 wu2 suo3 you3] /not having anything at all (成语 saw); utterly lacking/without two sticks to rub together/

- 一無所知 一无所知 [yi1 wu2 suo3 zhi1] /not knowing anything at all (成语 saw); completely ignorant/without an inkling/

- 一生一世 一生一世 [yi1 sheng1 yi1 shi4] /a whole lifetime (成语 saw); all my life/

- 一目瞭然 一目了然 [yi1 mu4 liao3 ran2] /obvious at a glance (成语 saw)/

- 一知半解 一知半解 [yi1 zhi1 ban4 jie3] /lit. to know one and understand half (成语 saw); a smattering of knowledge/dilettante/amateur/

- 一秉虔誠 一秉虔诚 [yi1 bing3 qian2 cheng2] /earnestly and sincerely (成语 saw); devoutly/

- 一竅不通 一窍不通 [yi1 qiao4 bu4 tong1] /I don't understand a word (成语 saw); all Greek to me/

- 一箭雙鵰 一箭双雕 [yi1 jian4 shuang1 diao1] /lit. one arrow, two golden eagles (成语 saw)/to kill two birds with one stone/

- 一絲一毫 一丝一毫 [yi1 si1 yi1 hao2] /one thread, one hair (成语 saw); a tiny bit/an iota/

- 一絲不掛 一丝不挂 [yi1 si1 bu4 gua4] /not wearing one thread (成语 saw); absolutely naked/without a stitch of clothing/in one's birthday suit/

- 一絲不苟 一丝不苟 [yi1 si1 bu4 gou3] /not one thread loose (成语 saw); strictly according to the rules/meticulous/not one hair out of place/

- 一網打盡 一网打尽 [yi1 wang3 da3 jin4] /to catch everything in one net (成语 saw); to eliminate at one stroke/to solve the problem at one fell swoop/

- 一脈相承 一脉相承 [yi1 mai4 xiang1 cheng2] /traceable to the same stock (成语 saw); of a common origin (of trends, ideas etc)/

- 一舉兩得 一举两得 [yi1 ju3 liang3 de2] /one move, two gains (成语 saw); two birds with one stone/

- 一見鐘情 一见钟情 [yi1 jian4 zhong1 qing2] /love at first sight (成语 saw)/

- 一視同仁 一视同仁 [yi1 shi4 tong2 ren2] /to treat everyone equally favourably (成语 saw); not to discriminate between people/

- 一言九鼎 一言九鼎 [yi1 yan2 jiu3 ding3] /one word worth nine sacred tripods (成语 saw); words of enormous weight/

- 一言千金 一言千金 [yi1 yan2 qian1 jin1] /one word worth a thousand in gold (成语 saw); valuable advice/words of enormous weight/

- 一言既出，駟馬難追 一言既出，驷马难追 [yi1 yan2 ji4 chu1 , si4 ma3 nan2 zhui1] /lit. once said, a team of horses cannot unsay it (成语 saw); a promise must be kept/

- 一言為定 一言为定 [yi1 yan2 wei2 ding4] /one word and it's settled (成语 saw); It's a deal!/That's settled then./

- 一言難盡 一言难尽 [yi1 yan2 nan2 jin4] /hard to explain in a few words (成语 saw); complicated and not easy to express succinctly/

- 一諾千金 一诺千金 [yi1 nuo4 qian1 jin1] /a promise worth one thousand in gold (成语 saw); a promise that must be kept/

- 一蹴即至 一蹴即至 [yi1 cu4 ji2 zhi4] /to get there in one step (成语 saw); easily done/success at a stroke/to get results overnight/

- 一蹴可幾 一蹴可几 [yi1 cu4 ke3 ji3] /succeed at the first try (成语 saw); easy as pie/one can do it at once/

- 一蹴而就 一蹴而就 [yi1 cu4 er2 jiu4] /to get there in one step (成语 saw); easily done/success at a stroke/to get results overnight/

- 一蹴而得 一蹴而得 [yi1 cu4 er2 de2] /to get there in one step (成语 saw); easily done/success at a stroke/to get results overnight/

- 一蹶不振 一蹶不振 [yi1 jue2 bu4 zhen4] /one stumble, unable to rise (成语 saw); a setback leading to total collapse/ruined at a stroke/unable to recover after a minor hitch/

- 一馬平川 一马平川 [yi1 ma3 ping2 chuan1] /flat land one could gallop straight across (成语 saw); wide expanse of flat country/

- 一鱗半爪 一鳞半爪 [yi1 lin2 ban4 zhua3] /lit. one scale and half a claw (成语 saw); only odd bits and pieces/

- 一鳴驚人 一鸣惊人 [yi1 ming2 jing1 ren2] /to amaze the world with a single brilliant feat (成语 saw); an overnight celebrity/

- 一鼻孔出氣 一鼻孔出气 [yi1 bi2 kong3 chu1 qi4] /lit. to breathe through the same nostril (成语 saw); fig. two people say exactly the same thing (usually derog.)/to sing from the same hymn sheet/

- 七上八下 七上八下 [qi1 shang4 ba1 xia4] /lit. seven up, eight down (成语 saw); unsettled state of mind/perturbed/at sixes and sevens/

- 七零八落 七零八落 [qi1 ling2 ba1 luo4] /(成语 saw) everything broken and in disorder/

- 三五成群 三五成群 [san1 wu3 cheng2 qun2] /forming groups of three or squads of five (成语 saw); people stand around in small clumps/

- 三人成虎 三人成虎 [san1 ren2 cheng2 hu3] /three men talking makes a tiger (成语 saw); repeated rumor becomes a fact/

- 三個臭皮匠，合成一個諸葛亮 三个臭皮匠，合成一个诸葛亮 [san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 , he2 cheng2 yi1 ge4 Zhu1 ge3 Liang4] /lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (成语 saw); fig. collective wisdom/

- 三個臭皮匠，賽過諸葛亮 三个臭皮匠，赛过诸葛亮 [san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 , sai4 guo4 Zhu1 ge3 Liang4] /lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (成语 saw); fig. collective wisdom/wisdom of the masses exceeds that of any individual/

- 三個臭皮匠，頂個諸葛亮 三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮 [san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 , ding3 ge4 Zhu1 ge3 Liang4] /lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (成语 saw); fig. collective wisdom/wisdom of the masses exceeds that of any individual/

- 三天兩頭 三天两头 [san1 tian1 liang3 tou2] /lit. twice every three days (成语 saw); practically every day/frequently/

- 三心二意 三心二意 [san1 xin1 er4 yi4] /in two minds about sth (成语 saw); half-hearted/shilly-shallying/

- 三思而後行 三思而后行 [san1 si1 er2 hou4 xing2] /think again and again before acting (成语 saw); consider carefully in advance/

- 三思而行 三思而行 [san1 si1 er2 xing2] /think three times then go (成语 saw); don't act before you've thought it through carefully/

- 三旬九食 三旬九食 [san1 xun2 jiu3 shi2] /in thirty days only nine meals (成语 saw); family on the brink of starvation/in dire straights/

- 三綱五常 三纲五常 [san1 gang1 wu3 chang2] /three principles and five virtues (成语 saw)/the three rules (ruler guides subject, father guides son and husband guides wife) and five constant virtues of Confucianism (benevolence 仁, righteousness 義|义, propriety 禮|礼, wisdom 智 and fidelity 信)/

- 三言兩句 三言两句 [san1 yan2 liang3 ju4] /in a few words (成语 saw); expressed succinctly/

- 三言兩語 三言两语 [san1 yan2 liang3 yu3] /in a few words (成语 saw); expressed succinctly/

- 上下其手 上下其手 [shang4 xia4 qi2 shou3] /to raise and lower one's hand (成语 saw); to signal as conspiratorial hint/fig. conspiring to defraud/

- 上樑不正下樑歪 上梁不正下梁歪 [shang4 liang2 bu4 zheng4 xia4 liang2 wai1] /If the room beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked (成语 saw). Subordinates will ape their betters./Leaders of society should set a good example./People need role models./

- 上氣不接下氣 上气不接下气 [shang4 qi4 bu4 jie1 xia4 qi4] /not enough breath (成语 saw); to gasp for breath/

- 不以為然 不以为然 [bu4 yi3 wei2 ran2] /not to accept as correct (成语 saw); to object/to disapprove/to take exception to/

- 不以詞害誌 不以词害志 [bu4 yi3 ci2 hai4 zhi4] /don't let rhetoric spoil the message (成语 saw); don't get carried away with flowery speech to the detriment of what you want to say/

- 不以辭害志 不以辞害志 [bu4 yi3 ci2 hai4 zhi4] /don't let rhetoric spoil the message (成语 saw); don't get carried away with flowery speech to the detriment of what you want to say/

- 不依不饒 不依不饶 [bu4 yi1 bu4 rao2] /not to overlook, nor spare (成语 saw); unwilling to forgive/to treat severely without listening to excuses/

- 不修邊幅 不修边幅 [bu4 xiu1 bian1 fu2] /not care about one's appearance (成语 saw)/slovenly in dress and manner/

- 不假思索 不假思索 [bu4 jia3 si1 suo3] /to act without taking time to think (成语 saw); to react instantly/to fire from the hip/

- 不入虎穴，焉得虎子 不入虎穴，焉得虎子 [bu4 ru4 hu3 xue2 , yan1 de2 hu3 zi3] /How do you catch the tiger cub without entering the tiger's lair? (成语 saw); Nothing ventured, nothing gained./

- 不分伯仲 不分伯仲 [bu4 fen1 bo2 zhong4] /lit. unable to distinguish eldest brother from second brother (成语 saw); they are all equally excellent/nothing to choose between them/

- 不分勝負 不分胜负 [bu4 fen1 sheng4 fu4] /unable to determine victory or defeat (成语 saw); evenly matched/to come out even/to tie/to draw/

- 不分清紅皂白 不分清红皂白 [bu4 fen1 qing1 hong2 zao4 bai2] /not distinguishing red-blue or black-white (成语 saw); not to distinguish between right and wrong/

- 不分皂白 不分皂白 [bu4 fen1 zao4 bai2] /not distinguishing black or white (成语 saw); not to distinguish between right and wrong/

- 不分青紅皂白 不分青红皂白 [bu4 fen1 qing1 hong2 zao4 bai2] /not distinguishing red-blue or black-white (成语 saw); not to distinguish between right and wrong/

- 不到黃河心不死 不到黄河心不死 [bu4 dao4 huang2 he2 xin1 bu4 si3] /lit. do not stop until one reaches the Yellow River (成语 saw); fig. to persevere until one reaches one's goal/to keep going while some hope is left/

- 不動聲色 不动声色 [bu4 dong4 sheng1 se4] /not a word or movement (成语 saw); remaining calm and collected/not batting an eyelid/

- 不勝其苦 不胜其苦 [bu4 sheng4 qi2 ku3] /unable to bear the pain (成语 saw)/

- 不可同日而語 不可同日而语 [bu4 ke3 tong2 ri4 er2 yu3] /lit. mustn't speak of two things on the same day (成语 saw); not to be mentioned in the same breath/incomparable/

- 不可思議 不可思议 [bu4 ke3 si1 yi4] /inconceivable (成语 saw); unimaginable/unfathomable/

- 不可端倪 不可端倪 [bu4 ke3 duan1 ni2] /impossible to get even an outline (成语 saw)/unfathomable/not a clue/

- 不可言喻 不可言喻 [bu4 ke3 yan2 yu4] /inexpressible (成语 saw)/

- 不同凡響 不同凡响 [bu4 tong2 fan2 xiang3] /lit. not a common chord (成语 saw); outstanding/brilliant/out of the common run/

- 不問青紅皂白 不问青红皂白 [bu4 wen4 qing1 hong2 zao4 bai2] /not distinguishing red-blue or black-white (成语 saw); not to distinguish between right and wrong/

- 不學無術 不学无术 [bu4 xue2 wu2 shu4] /without learning or skills (成语 saw); ignorant and incompetent/

- 不恤人言 不恤人言 [bu4 xu4 ren2 yan2] /not to worry about the gossip (成语 saw); to do the right thing regardless of what others say/

- 不愧下學 不愧下学 [bu4 kui4 xia4 xue2] /not ashamed to learn from subordinates (成语 saw)/

- 不愧不怍 不愧不怍 [bu4 kui4 bu4 zuo4] /no shame, no subterfuge (成语 saw); just and honorable/upright and above board/

- 不慌不忙 不慌不忙 [bu4 huang1 bu4 mang2] /calm and unhurried (成语 saw); composed/to take matters calmly/

- 不成體統 不成体统 [bu4 cheng2 ti3 tong3] /not according with decorum (成语 saw); scandalous/bad form/unacceptable behaviour/

- 不打不成相識 不打不成相识 [bu4 da3 bu4 cheng2 xiang1 shi2] /don't fight, won't make friends (成语 saw); an exchange of blows may lead to friendship/

- 不打不相識 不打不相识 [bu4 da3 bu4 xiang1 shi2] /lit. don't fight, won't make friends (成语 saw); an exchange of blows may lead to friendship/no discord, no concord/

- 不敢自專 不敢自专 [bu4 gan3 zi4 zhuan1] /not daring to act for oneself (成语 saw)/

- 不明事理 不明事理 [bu4 ming2 shi4 li3] /not understanding things (成语 saw); devoid of sense/

- 不求有功，但求無過 不求有功，但求无过 [bu4 qiu2 you3 gong1 , dan4 qiu2 wu2 guo4] /special achievement not required, just no hyperactive blunders (成语 saw); not hoping to acquire merit, just avoiding mistakes/Take it easy and keep your nose clean./

- 不求甚解 不求甚解 [bu4 qiu2 shen4 jie3] /lit. not requiring a detailed understanding (成语 saw); only looking for an overview/not bothered with the details/superficial/content with shallow understanding/

- 不痛不痒 不痛不痒 [bu4 tong4 bu4 yang3] /lit. doesn't hurt, doesn't tickle (成语 saw); sth is wrong, but not quite sure what/fig. not getting to any matter of substance/scratching the surface/superficial/perfunctory/

- 不知所措 不知所措 [bu4 zhi1 suo3 cuo4] /not knowing what to do (成语 saw); at one's wits' end/embarrassed and at a complete loss/

- 不知進退 不知进退 [bu4 zhi1 jin4 tui4] /not knowing when to come or leave (成语 saw); with no sense of propriety/

- 不約而同 不约而同 [bu4 yue1 er2 tong2] /to agree by chance (成语 saw); taking the same action without prior consultation/

- 不聞不問 不闻不问 [bu4 wen2 bu4 wen4] /not to hear, not to question (成语 saw)/to show no interest in sth/uncritical/not in the least concerned/

- 不聲不響 不声不响 [bu4 sheng1 bu4 xiang3] /wordless and silent (成语 saw); without speaking/taciturn/

- 不見天日 不见天日 [bu4 jian4 tian1 ri4] /all black, no daylight (成语 saw); a world without justice/

- 不見棺材不落淚 不见棺材不落泪 [bu4 jian4 guan1 cai2 bu4 luo4 lei4] /fig. not to shed a tear until one sees the coffin (成语 saw); lit. refuse to be convinced until one is faced with grim reality/

- 不見經傳 不见经传 [bu4 jian4 jing1 zhuan4] /not found in the classics (成语 saw); unknown/unfounded/not authoritative/

- 不計其數 不计其数 [bu4 ji4 qi2 shu4] /lit. their number cannot be counted (成语 saw); untold numbers/innumerable/thousands upon thousands/

- 不識大體 不识大体 [bu4 shi2 da4 ti3] /unable to see the larger issue (成语 saw); unaware of the general interest/

- 不識時務 不识时务 [bu4 shi2 shi2 wu4] /to show no understanding of the times (成语 saw); cannot adapt to current circumstances/not amenable to reason/

- 不識時變 不识时变 [bu4 shi2 shi2 bian4] /to show no understanding of the times (成语 saw); cannot adapt to current circumstances/not amenable to reason/

- 不識泰山 不识泰山 [bu4 shi2 Tai4 shan1] /can't recognize Mt Taishan (成语 saw); fig. not to recognize a famous person/

- 不識高低 不识高低 [bu4 shi2 gao1 di1] /can't recognize tall or short (成语 saw); doesn't know what's what/

- 不辨菽麥 不辨菽麦 [bu4 bian4 shu1 mai4] /lit. cannot tell beans from wheat (成语 saw); fig. ignorant of practical matters/

- 不過爾爾 不过尔尔 [bu4 guo4 er3 er3] /not more than so-so (成语 saw); mediocre/nothing out of the ordinary/

- 不遺餘力 不遗余力 [bu4 yi2 yu2 li4] /to spare no pains or effort (成语 saw); to do one's utmost/

- 不避斧鉞 不避斧钺 [bu4 bi4 fu3 yue4] /don't avoid the battle-ax (成语 saw); soldier must face danger bravely/

- 不顧前後 不顾前后 [bu4 gu4 qian2 hou4] /regardless of what's before or after (成语 saw); rushing blindly into sth/

- 世代相傳 世代相传 [shi4 dai4 xiang1 chuan2] /passed on from generation to generation (成语 saw); to hand down/

- 丟輪扯砲 丢轮扯炮 [diu1 lun2 che3 pao4] /lose a wheel, tear at the gun (成语 saw); flustered and confused in a panic/

- 串親訪友 串亲访友 [chuan4 qin1 fang3 you3] /to call on friends and relations (成语 saw)/

- 久慕盛名 久慕盛名 [jiu3 mu4 sheng4 ming2] /I've admired your reputation for a long time (成语 saw); I've been looking forward to meeting you./It's an honor to meet you at last./

- 久經考驗 久经考验 [jiu3 jing1 kao3 yan4] /well tested (成语 saw); seasoned/veteran/

- 之乎者也 之乎者也 [zhi1 hu1 zhe3 ye3] /four common characters of classical Chinese (成语 saw); fig. semi-incomprehensible talk/double Dutch/all Greek to me/

- 乘人不備 乘人不备 [cheng2 ren2 bu4 bei4] /to take advantage of someone in an unguarded moment (成语 saw)/to take someone by surprise/

- 乘虛而入 乘虚而入 [cheng2 xu1 er2 ru4] /to enter by exploiting a weak spot (成语 saw); to take advantage of a lapse/

- 乘風破浪 乘风破浪 [cheng2 feng1 po4 lang4] /to brave the wind and the billows (成语 saw); to have high ambitions/

- 九死一生 九死一生 [jiu3 si3 yi1 sheng1] /nine deaths and still alive (成语 saw); a narrow escape/new lease of life/

- 九牛二虎之力 九牛二虎之力 [jiu3 niu2 er4 hu3 zhi1 li4] /tremendous strength (成语 saw)/

- 乞哀告憐 乞哀告怜 [qi3 ai1 gao4 lian2] /begging for pity and asking for help (成语 saw)/

- 乳臭未乾 乳臭未干 [ru3 xiu4 wei4 gan1] /smell of mother's milk not yet dried (成语 saw); immature and inexperienced/still wet behind the ears/

- 亂七八糟 乱七八糟 [luan4 qi1 ba1 zao1] /everything in disorder (成语 saw); in a hideous mess/at sixes and sevens/

- 事到臨頭 事到临头 [shi4 dao4 lin2 tou2] /things come to a head (成语 saw)/

- 事半功倍 事半功倍 [shi4 ban4 gong1 bei4] /half the work, twice the effect (成语 saw); the right approach saves effort and leads to better results/a stitch in time saves nine/

- 事危累卵 事危累卵 [shi4 wei1 lei3 luan3] /lit. the matter has become a pile of eggs (成语 saw); fig. at a critical juncture/

- 事在人為 事在人为 [shi4 zai4 ren2 wei2] /the matter depends on the individual (成语 saw); it is a matter for your own effort/With effort, one can achieve anything./

- 事實勝於雄辯 事实胜于雄辩 [shi4 shi2 sheng4 yu2 xiong2 bian4] /Facts speak louder than words. (成语 saw)/

- 事後聰明 事后聪明 [shi4 hou4 cong1 ming5] /wise after the event (成语 saw); with hindsight, one should have predicted it/

- 事後諸葛亮 事后诸葛亮 [shi4 hou4 Zhu1 ge3 Liang4] /a genius in retrospect (成语 saw); wise after the event/

- 事過境遷 事过境迁 [shi4 guo4 jing4 qian1] /The issue is in the past, and the situation has changed (成语 saw)./It is water under the bridge./

- 二話不說 二话不说 [er4 hua4 bu4 shuo1] /not saying anything further (成语 saw); not raising any objection/without demur/

- 互為因果 互为因果 [hu4 wei2 yin1 guo3] /mutually related karma (成语 saw); fates are intertwined/interdependent/

- 互相推諉 互相推诿 [hu4 xiang1 tui1 wei3] /mutually shirking responsibilities (成语 saw); each blaming the other/passing the buck to and fro/each trying to unload responsibilities onto the other/

- 互通有無 互通有无 [hu4 tong1 you3 wu2] /mutual exchange of assistance (成语 saw)/to benefit from each other's strengths and make up each other's shortfalls/to reciprocate with material assistance/scratch each other's back/

- 五味俱全 五味俱全 [wu3 wei4 ju1 quan2] /a complete gamut of all five flavors (成语 saw); every flavor under the sun/

- 五彩繽紛 五彩缤纷 [wu3 cai3 bin1 fen1] /all the colors in profusion (成语 saw); a garish display/

- 五色繽紛 五色缤纷 [wu3 se4 bin1 fen1] /all the colors in profusion (成语 saw); a garish display/

- 井井有條 井井有条 [jing3 jing3 you3 tiao2] /everything clear and orderly (成语 saw); neat and tidy/

- 井底之蛙 井底之蛙 [jing3 di3 zhi1 wa1] /a frog at the bottom of a well (成语 saw); fig. an ignorant person/

- 井然有序 井然有序 [jing3 ran2 you3 xu4] /everything clear and in good order (成语 saw); neat and tidy/

- 井蛙之見 井蛙之见 [jing3 wa1 zhi1 jian4] /the view of a frog in a well (成语 saw); fig. a narrow view/

- 亡命之徒 亡命之徒 [wang2 ming4 zhi1 tu2] /runaway (成语 saw); desperate criminal/fugitive/

- 亡國滅種 亡国灭种 [wang2 guo2 mie4 zhong4] /country destroyed, its people annihilated (成语 saw); total destruction/

- 亡羊補牢 亡羊补牢 [wang2 yang2 bu3 lao2] /lit. to mend the pen after the sheep are lost (成语 saw); fig. to take action too late/to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted/

- 交口稱譽 交口称誉 [jiao1 kou3 cheng1 yu4] /voices unanimous in praise (成语 saw); with an extensive public reputation/

- 人云亦云 人云亦云 [ren2 yun2 yi4 yun2] /to say what everyone says (成语 saw); a yes-man/

- 人傑地靈 人杰地灵 [ren2 jie2 di4 ling2] /illustrious hero, spirit of the place (成语 saw); a place derives reflected glory from an illustrious son/

- 人壽年豐 人寿年丰 [ren2 shou4 nian2 feng1] /long-lived people, rich harvests (成语 saw); stable and affluent society/prosperity/

- 人多勢眾 人多势众 [ren2 duo1 shi4 zhong4] /many men, a great force (成语 saw); many hands provide great strength/There is safety in numbers./

- 人定勝天 人定胜天 [ren2 ding4 sheng4 tian1] /man can conquer nature (成语 saw); human wisdom can prevail over nature/

- 人心難測 人心难测 [ren2 xin1 nan2 ce4] /hard to fathom a person's mind (成语 saw)/

- 人浮於事 人浮于事 [ren2 fu2 yu2 shi4] /more hands than needed (成语 saw); too many cooks spoil the broth/

- 人煙稀少 人烟稀少 [ren2 yan1 xi1 shao3] /no sign of human habitation (成语 saw); desolate/

- 人生一世，草木一春 人生一世，草木一春 [ren2 sheng1 yi1 shi4 , cao3 mu4 yi1 chun1] /Man has but one life, grass but one spring (成语 saw). fig. the brevity of human existence/

- 人生如夢 人生如梦 [ren2 sheng1 ru2 meng4] /life is but a dream (成语 saw)/

- 人生如朝露 人生如朝露 [ren2 sheng1 ru2 zhao1 lu4] /human life as the morning dew (成语 saw); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence/

- 人生朝露 人生朝露 [ren2 sheng1 zhao1 lu4] /human life as the morning dew (成语 saw); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence/

- 人給家足 人给家足 [ren2 ji3 jia1 zu2] /lit. each household provided for, enough for the individual (成语 saw); comfortably off/

- 人間地獄 人间地狱 [ren2 jian1 di4 yu4] /hell on earth (成语 saw); suffering the torments of Buddhist hell while still alive/fig. having an uncomfortable time/

- 人面獸心 人面兽心 [ren2 mian4 shou4 xin1] /human face, beast's heart (成语 saw); two-faced/malicious and duplicitous/

- 仁人君子 仁人君子 [ren2 ren2 jun1 zi5] /people of good will (成语 saw); charitable person/

- 仁人志士 仁人志士 [ren2 ren2 zhi4 shi4] /gentleman aspiring to benevolence (成语 saw); people with lofty ideals/

- 仁人義士 仁人义士 [ren2 ren2 yi4 shi4] /those with lofty ideals (成语 saw)/men of vision/

- 仁義道德 仁义道德 [ren2 yi4 dao4 de2] /compassion, duty, propriety and integrity (成语 saw); all the traditional virtues/mainly used sarcastically, to mean hypocritical/

- 仁至義盡 仁至义尽 [ren2 zhi4 yi4 jin4] /extreme benevolence, utmost duty (成语 saw); meticulous virtue and attention to duty/

- 仁言利博 仁言利博 [ren2 yan2 li4 bo2] /Words of benevolence apply universally (成语 saw). Humanitarian expressions benefit all./

- 他山之石可以攻玉 他山之石可以攻玉 [ta1 shan1 zhi1 shi2 ke3 yi3 gong1 yu4] /lit. the other mountain's stone can polish jade (成语 saw); to improve oneself by accepting criticism from outside/to borrow talent from abroad to develop the nation effectively/

- 仗勢欺人 仗势欺人 [zhang4 shi4 qi1 ren2] /relying on force to bully others (成语 saw)/

- 仗義執言 仗义执言 [zhang4 yi4 zhi2 yan2] /to speak out for justice (成语 saw); to take a stand on a matter of principle/

- 仗義疏財 仗义疏财 [zhang4 yi4 shu1 cai2] /to help the needy for justice (成语 saw); to be loyal to one's friends and generous to the needy/

- 付之一嘆 付之一叹 [fu4 zhi1 yi1 tan4] /to dismiss with a sigh (成语 saw); a hopeless case/

- 付之一歎 付之一叹 [fu4 zhi1 yi1 tan4] /to dismiss with a sigh (成语 saw); a hopeless case/

- 付之一炬 付之一炬 [fu4 zhi1 yi1 ju4] /to put to the torch (成语 saw)/to commit to the flames/to burn sth down deliberately/

- 付之一笑 付之一笑 [fu4 zhi1 yi1 xiao4] /to dismiss sth with a laugh (成语 saw)/to laugh it off/

- 付之丙丁 付之丙丁 [fu4 zhi1 bing3 ding1] /to burn down (成语 saw)/

- 付之度外 付之度外 [fu4 zhi1 du4 wai4] /to think nothing of doing sth (成语 saw)/to do sth without considering the risks/to leave out of consideration/

- 付之東流 付之东流 [fu4 zhi1 dong1 liu2] /to commit to the waters (成语 saw); to lose sth irrevocably/

- 仙姿玉色 仙姿玉色 [xian1 zi1 yu4 se4] /heavenly beauty, jewel colors (成语 saw); unusually beautiful lady/

- 代代相傳 代代相传 [dai4 dai4 xiang1 chuan2] /passed on from generation to generation (成语 saw); to hand down/

- 令人髮指 令人发指 [ling4 ren2 fa4 zhi3] /to make one's hair stand up in anger (成语 saw); to raise people's hackles/

- 令行禁止 令行禁止 [ling4 xing2 jin4 zhi3] /lit. if he orders you go, he forbids you stop (成语 saw); fig. to demand exact compliance with instructions/to ensure strictly obedience/

- 以卵擊石 以卵击石 [yi3 luan3 ji1 shi2] /lit. to strike a stone with egg (成语 saw); to attempt the impossible/to invite disaster by overreaching oneself/

- 以夷制夷 以夷制夷 [yi3 yi2 zhi4 yi2] /to use foreigners to subdue foreigners (成语 saw); let the barbarians fight it out among themselves (traditional policy of successive dynasties)/To use western science and technology to counter imperialist encroachment (late Qing modernizing slogan)./

- 以少勝多 以少胜多 [yi3 shao3 sheng4 duo1] /using the few to defeat the many (成语 saw); to win from a position of weakness/

- 以弱勝強 以弱胜强 [yi3 ruo4 sheng4 qiang2] /using the weak to defeat the strong (成语 saw); to win from a position of weakness/

- 以慎為鍵 以慎为键 [yi3 shen4 wei2 jian4] /to take caution as the key (成语 saw); to proceed very carefully/

- 以禮相待 以礼相待 [yi3 li3 xiang1 dai4] /to treat sb with due respect (成语 saw)/

- 以言代法 以言代法 [yi3 yan2 dai4 fa3] /to substitute one's words for the law (成语 saw); high-handedly putting one's orders above the law/

- 以言代法，以權壓法 以言代法，以权压法 [yi3 yan2 dai4 fa3 , yi3 quan2 ya1 fa3] /to substitute one's words for the law and abuse power to crush it (成语 saw); completely lawless behavior/Might makes right./

- 以貌取人 以貌取人 [yi3 mao4 qu3 ren2] /to judge sb by appearances (成语 saw)/

- 以身作則 以身作则 [yi3 shen1 zuo4 ze2] /to set an example (成语 saw); to serve as a model/

- 以身報國 以身报国 [yi3 shen1 bao4 guo2] /to give one's body for the nation (成语 saw); to spend one's whole life in the service of the country/

- 以逸待勞 以逸待劳 [yi3 yi4 dai4 lao2] /to wait at one's ease for the exhausted enemy (成语 saw); to nurture one's strength and bide one's time/

- 以防萬一 以防万一 [yi3 fang2 wan4 yi1] /to guard against the unexpected (成语 saw); just in case/prepared for any eventualities/

- 仰人鼻息 仰人鼻息 [yang3 ren2 bi2 xi1] /to rely on others for the air one breathes (成语 saw); to depend on sb's whim for one's living/

- 仰屋著書 仰屋著书 [yang3 wu1 zhu4 shu1] /lit. to stare at the ceiling while writing a book (成语 saw); to put one's whole body and soul into a book/

- 任人唯親 任人唯亲 [ren4 ren2 wei2 qin1] /to appoint people by favoritism (成语 saw); nepotism/corrupt appointment/

- 任人唯賢 任人唯贤 [ren4 ren2 wei2 xian2] /to appoint people according to their merits (成语 saw); appointment on the basis of ability and integrity/

- 任其自然 任其自然 [ren4 qi2 zi4 ran2] /to let things take their course (成语 saw)/to leave it to nature/laissez-faire/

- 任勞任怨 任劳任怨 [ren4 lao2 ren4 yuan4] /to undertake a task despite criticism (成语 saw); to bear the burden of office willingly/

- 任憑風浪起，穩坐釣魚臺 任凭风浪起，稳坐钓鱼台 [ren4 ping2 feng1 lang4 qi3 , wen3 zuo4 diao4 yu2 tai2] /lit. sitting at ease in a fishing boat despite wind and storm (成语 saw); to stay calm during tense situation/a cool head in a crisis/

- 任賢使能 任贤使能 [ren4 xian2 shi3 neng2] /to appoint the virtuous and use the able (成语 saw); appointment on the basis of ability and integrity/

- 伶牙俐齒 伶牙俐齿 [ling2 ya2 li4 chi3] /clever and eloquent (成语 saw); fluent/having the gift of the gab/

- 似懂非懂 似懂非懂 [si4 dong3 fei1 dong3] /seem to understand, but not understand (成语 saw)/

- 似笑非笑 似笑非笑 [si4 xiao4 fei1 xiao4] /like a smile yet not a smile (成语 saw)/

- 何樂而不為 何乐而不为 [he2 le4 er2 bu4 wei2] /What can you have against it? (成语 saw)/We should do this./Go for it!/

- 佛口蛇心 佛口蛇心 [fo2 kou3 she2 xin1] /words of a Buddha, heart of a snake (成语 saw); two-faced/malicious and duplicitous/

- 作威作福 作威作福 [zuo4 wei1 zuo4 fu2] /tyrannical abuse (成语 saw); riding roughshod over people/

- 作繭自縛 作茧自缚 [zuo4 jian3 zi4 fu2] /to spin a cocoon around oneself (成语 saw); enmeshed in a trap of one's own devising/hoist with his own petard/

- 你死我活 你死我活 [ni3 si3 wo3 huo2] /lit. you die, I live (成语 saw); irreconcilable adversaries/two parties cannot coexist/

- 你爭我奪 你争我夺 [ni3 zheng1 wo3 duo2] /lit. you fight, I snatch (成语 saw); to compete fiercely offering no quarter/fierce rivalry/tug-of-war/

- 佳人才子 佳人才子 [jia1 ren2 cai2 zi3] /beautiful lady, gifted scholar (成语 saw); pair of ideal lovers/cf With his brains and her looks.../

- 來去無蹤 来去无踪 [lai2 qu4 wu2 zong1] /come without a shadow, leave without a footprint (成语 saw); to come and leave without a trace/

- 來日方長 来日方长 [lai2 ri4 fang1 chang2] /the future is long (成语 saw); there will be ample time for that later/We'll cross that bridge when we get there/

- 來無影，去無蹤 来无影，去无踪 [lai2 wu2 ying3 , qu4 wu2 zong1] /come without a shadow, leave without a footprint (成语 saw); to come and leave without a trace/

- 來者不善，善者不來 来者不善，善者不来 [lai2 zhe3 bu4 shan4 , shan4 zhe3 bu4 lai2] /He who comes is surely ill-intentioned, no-one well-meaning will come (成语 saw)./Be careful not to trust foreigners./Beware of Greeks bearing gifts!/

- 來鴻去燕 来鸿去燕 [lai2 hong2 qu4 yan4] /lit. the goose comes, the swallow goes (成语 saw); fig. always on the move/

- 依依不舍 依依不舍 [yi1 yi1 bu2 she3] /reluctant to part (成语 saw); broken-hearted at having to leave/

- 依樣畫葫蘆 依样画葫芦 [yi1 yang4 hua4 hu2 lu5] /to draw a gourd from the model (成语 saw); fig. to copy sth mechanically without attempt at originality/to crib/to ape/to plagiarize/

- 依然如故 依然如故 [yi1 ran2 ru2 gu4] /back to where we were (成语 saw); absolutely no improvement/Things haven't changed at all./

- 依然故我 依然故我 [yi1 ran2 gu4 wo3] /to continue in one's own way (成语 saw); to ignore advice/to persist whatever others say/

- 俗諺口碑 俗谚口碑 [su2 yan4 kou3 bei1] /common sayings (成语 saw); widely circulated proverbs/

- 俗隨時變 俗随时变 [su2 sui2 shi2 bian4] /customs change with time (成语 saw); other times, other manners/O Tempora, O Mores!/

- 保家衛國 保家卫国 [bao3 jia1 wei4 guo2] /guard home, defend the country (成语 saw); national defense/

- 信口開河 信口开河 [xin4 kou3 kai1 he2] /to talk off the cuff (成语 saw); idle talk/

- 信口雌黃 信口雌黄 [xin4 kou3 ci2 huang2] /to talk off the cuff (成语 saw); idle talk/

- 修心養性 修心养性 [xiu1 xin1 yang3 xing4] /to cultivate the heart and nurture the character (成语 saw); to improve oneself by meditation/

- 俯首帖耳 俯首帖耳 [fu3 shou3 tie1 er3] /bowed head and ears glued (成语 saw); docile and obedient/at sb's beck and call/

- 俾夜作昼 俾夜作昼 [bi3 ye4 zuo4 zhou4] /lit. to make night as day (成语 saw); fig. to burn the midnight oil/work especially hard/

- 倉皇出逃 仓皇出逃 [cang1 huang2 chu1 tao2] /to run off in a great panic (成语 saw)/

- 倒懸之危 倒悬之危 [dao4 xuan2 zhi1 wei1] /lit. the crisis of being hanged upside down (成语 saw); fig. extremely critical situation/dire straits/

- 倒懸之急 倒悬之急 [dao4 xuan2 zhi1 ji2] /lit. the crisis of being hanged upside down (成语 saw); fig. extremely critical situation/dire straits/

- 倒懸之苦 倒悬之苦 [dao4 xuan2 zhi1 ku3] /lit. the pain of being hanged upside down (成语 saw); fig. extremely critical situation/dire straits/

- 倒打一耙 倒打一耙 [dao4 da3 yi1 pa2] /lit. to strike with a muck-rake (成语 saw), 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)/

- 倒行逆施 倒行逆施 [dao4 xing2 ni4 shi1] /to go against the tide (成语 saw); to do things all wrong/to try to turn back history/a perverse way of doing things/

- 借刀殺人 借刀杀人 [jie4 dao1 sha1 ren2] /lit. to borrow a knife to kill sb (成语 saw); fig. to get another person to harm sb/to get sb else to do one's dirty work/

- 借古諷今 借古讽今 [jie4 gu3 feng3 jin1] /to use the past to disparage the present (成语 saw)/

- 借屍還魂 借尸还魂 [jie4 shi1 huan2 hun2] /lit. reincarnated in sb else's body (成语 saw); fig. a discarded or discredited idea returns in another guise/

- 借花獻佛 借花献佛 [jie4 hua1 xian4 Fo2] /lit. presenting the Buddha with borrowed flowers (成语 saw); fig. to win favor or influence using sb else's property/plagiarism/

- 偃旗息鼓 偃旗息鼓 [yan3 qi2 xi1 gu3] /lit. lay down the flag and still the drums (成语 saw); fig. to cease/to give in/

- 假公濟私 假公济私 [jia3 gong1 ji4 si1] /official authority used for private interests (成语 saw); to attain private ends by abusing public position/

- 假途滅虢 假途灭虢 [jia3 tu2 mie4 Guo2] /lit. a short-cut to crush Guo (成语 saw); fig. to connive with sb to damage a third party, then turn on the partner/

- 做一天和尚，撞一天鐘 做一天和尚，撞一天钟 [zuo4 yi1 tian1 he2 shang5 , zhuang4 yi1 tian1 zhong1] /as a monk for today, toll today's bell (成语 saw); to do one's job mechanically/to hold a position passively/

- 做好做歹 做好做歹 [zuo4 hao3 zuo4 dai3] /to persuade using all possible arguments (成语 saw); to act good cop and bad cop in turn/

- 做張做勢 做张做势 [zuo4 zhang1 zuo4 shi4] /to put on an act (成语 saw); to pose/to show theatrical affectation/to indulge in histrionics/

- 做張做智 做张做智 [zuo4 zhang1 zuo4 zhi4] /to put on an act (成语 saw); to pose/to show theatrical affectation/to indulge in histrionics/

- 做賊心虛 做贼心虚 [zuo4 zei2 xin1 xu1] /to feel guilty as a thief (成语 saw); to have sth on one's conscience/

- 停滯不前 停滞不前 [ting2 zhi4 bu4 qian2] /stuck and not moving forward (成语 saw); stagnant/in a rut/at a standstill/

- 偷工減料 偷工减料 [tou1 gong1 jian3 liao4] /to skimp on the job and stint on materials (成语 saw)/jerry-building/sloppy work/

- 偷雞摸狗 偷鸡摸狗 [tou1 ji1 mo2 gou3] /to imitate the dog and steal chicken (成语 saw); to dally with women/to have affairs/

- 債台高築 债台高筑 [zhai4 tai2 gao1 zhu4] /lit. build a high desk of debt (成语 saw); heavily in debt/

- 債臺高築 债台高筑 [zhai4 tai2 gao1 zhu4] /lit. build a high desk of debt (成语 saw); heavily in debt/

- 傷天害理 伤天害理 [shang1 tian1 hai4 li3] /to offend Heaven and reason (成语 saw); bloody atrocities that cry to heaven/outrageous acts/

- 傷弓之鳥 伤弓之鸟 [shang1 gong1 zhi1 niao3] /lit. bird wounded by an arrow (成语 saw); fig. wounded or damaged person/

- 傷心慘目 伤心惨目 [shang1 xin1 can3 mu4] /(成语 saw) too appalling to look at/

- 傷風敗俗 伤风败俗 [shang1 feng1 bai4 su2] /offending public morals (成语 saw)/

- 傾家蕩產 倾家荡产 [qing1 jia1 dang4 chan3] /to lose a family fortune (成语 saw)/

- 傾巢而出 倾巢而出 [qing1 chao2 er2 chu1] /the whole nest came out (成语 saw); to turn out in full strength/

- 傾心吐膽 倾心吐胆 [qing1 xin1 tu3 dan3] /to pour out one's hear (成语 saw)/

- 傾箱倒篋 倾箱倒箧 [qing1 xiang1 dao3 qie4] /to turn out all one's trunks (成语 saw); to give away all one has/

- 儘歡而散 尽欢而散 [jin4 huan1 er2 san4] /to disperse after a happy time (成语 saw); everyone enjoys themselves to the full then party breaks up/

- 優遊自得 优游自得 [you1 you2 zi4 de2] /free and at leisure (成语 saw); unfettered/

- 充耳不聞 充耳不闻 [chong1 er3 bu4 wen2] /to block one's ears and not listen (成语 saw); to turn a deaf ear/

- 兇多吉少 凶多吉少 [xiong1 duo1 ji2 shao3] /everything bodes ill, no positive signs (成语 saw); inauspicious/everything points to disaster/

- 兇相畢露 凶相毕露 [xiong1 xiang4 bi4 lu4] /show one's ferocious appearance (成语 saw); the atrocious features revealed/with fangs bared/

- 兇神惡煞 凶神恶煞 [xiong1 shen2 e4 sha4] /fiends (成语 saw); devils and monsters/

- 先發制人 先发制人 [xian1 fa1 zhi4 ren2] /to gain the initiative by striking first (成语 saw); to pre-empt/to anticipate/pre-emptive/

- 先睹為快 先睹为快 [xian1 du3 wei4 kuai4] /joy of first experience (成语 saw); the pleasure of reading sth for the first time/

- 先禮後兵 先礼后兵 [xian1 li3 hou4 bing1] /peaceful measures before using force (成语 saw); diplomacy before violence/jaw-jaw is better than war-war/

- 光前裕後 光前裕后 [guang1 qian2 yu4 hou4] /to bring honor to one's ancestors and benefit future generations (成语 saw)/

- 光天化日 光天化日 [guang1 tian1 hua4 ri4] /the full light of day (成语 saw)/fig. peace and prosperity/in broad daylight/

- 光明磊落 光明磊落 [guang1 ming2 lei3 luo4] /open and candid (成语 saw); straightforward and upright/

- 光陰似箭 光阴似箭 [guang1 yin1 si4 jian4] /time flies like an arrow (成语 saw); How time flies!/

- 兔死狐悲 兔死狐悲 [tu4 si3 hu2 bei1] /lit. if the rabbit dies, the fox grieves (成语 saw); fig. to have sympathy with a like-minded person in distress/

- 入土為安 入土为安 [ru4 tu3 wei2 an1] /buried and at rest (成语 saw); Resquiescat in pacem (RIP)/

- 入境問俗 入境问俗 [ru4 jing4 wen4 su2] /When you enter a country, enquire about the local customs (成语 saw); do as the natives do/When in Rome, do as the Romans do/

- 入境隨俗 入境随俗 [ru4 jing4 sui2 su2] /When you enter a country, follow the local customs (成语 saw); do as the natives do/When in Rome, do as the Romans do/

- 入鄉隨俗 入乡随俗 [ru4 xiang1 sui2 su2] /When you enter a village, follow the local customs (成语 saw); do as the natives do/When in Rome, do as the Romans do/

- 內憂外困 内忧外困 [nei4 you1 wai4 kun4] /internal trouble and outside aggression (成语 saw); in a mess both domestically and abroad/

- 內憂外患 内忧外患 [nei4 you1 wai4 huan4] /internal trouble and outside aggression (成语 saw); in a mess both domestically and abroad/

- 全神貫注 全神贯注 [quan2 shen2 guan4 zhu4] /to concentrate one's attention completely (成语 saw); entirely absorbed/with rapt attention/

- 全軍覆沒 全军覆没 [quan2 jun1 fu4 mo4] /total defeat of an army (成语 saw); fig. a complete wipe-out/

- 兩手空空 两手空空 [liang3 shou3 kong1 kong1] /empty-handed (成语 saw); fig. not receiving anything/

- 兩敗俱傷 两败俱伤 [liang3 bai4 ju1 shang1] /both sides suffer (成语 saw)/neither side wins/

- 兩虎相爭 两虎相争 [liang3 hu3 xiang1 zheng1] /two tigers fighting (成语 saw); fierce contest between evenly matched protagonists/

- 兩虎相爭，必有一傷 两虎相争，必有一伤 [liang3 hu3 xiang1 zheng1 , bi4 you3 yi1 shang1] /if two tigers fight, one must get injured (成语 saw); if you start a war, someone is bound to get hurt/

- 兩虎相鬥 两虎相斗 [liang3 hu3 xiang1 dou4] /two tigers fight (成语 saw); fig. a dispute between two major contestants/a battle of the giants/

- 兩虎相鬥，必有一傷 两虎相斗，必有一伤 [liang3 hu3 xiang1 dou4 , bi4 you3 yi1 shang1] /When two tigers fight, one will get injured (成语 saw). If it comes to a fight, someone will get hurt./

- 兩袖清風 两袖清风 [liang3 xiu4 qing1 feng1] /lit. both sleeves flowing in the breeze (成语 saw); having clean hands/uncorrupted/unsoiled by corrupt practices/

- 兩面三刀 两面三刀 [liang3 mian4 san1 dao1] /two-faced, three knives (成语 saw); double-cross/double dealing and back stabbing/

- 八抬大轎 八抬大轿 [ba1 tai2 da4 jiao4] /palanquin with eight carriers (成语 saw); fig. to treat guests with honor/

- 公之於眾 公之于众 [gong1 zhi1 yu2 zhong4] /to make known to the masses (成语 saw); to publicize widely/to let the world know/

- 公而忘私 公而忘私 [gong1 er2 wang4 si1] /for the common good and forgetting personal interests (成语 saw); to behave altruistically/selfless/

- 公諸同好 公诸同好 [gong1 zhu1 tong2 hao4] /to share pleasure in the company of others (成语 saw); shared enjoyment with fellow enthusiasts/

- 公諸於世 公诸于世 [gong1 zhu1 yu2 shi4] /to announce to the world (成语 saw); to publicize/known to all/to let everyone know one's position/

- 六神無主 六神无主 [liu4 shen2 wu2 zhu3] /all six vital organs fail (成语 saw); besides oneself with panic/distracted/out of one's wits/

- 六親不認 六亲不认 [liu4 qin1 bu4 ren4] /no recognising one's family (成语 saw); self-centered and not making any allowances for the needs of one's relatives/

- 六親無靠 六亲无靠 [liu4 qin1 wu2 kao4] /orphaned of all one's immediate relatives (成语 saw); no one to rely on/left to one's own devices/

- 六韜三略 六韬三略 [liu4 tao1 san1 lu:e4] /lit. Six secret teachings 六韬 and Three strategies 三略, two military classics (成语 saw); books of military strategy/

- 兵不血刃 兵不血刃 [bing1 bu4 xue4 ren4] /lit. no blood on the men's swords (成语 saw); fig. an effortless victory/

- 兵來將擋，水來土掩 兵来将挡，水来土掩 [bing1 lai2 jiang1 dang3 , shui3 lai2 tu3 yan3] /counter soldiers with arms, water with an earth weir (成语 saw); different situations call for different action/adopt measures appropriate to the actual situation/

- 兵來將敵，水來土堰 兵来将敌，水来土堰 [bing1 lai2 jiang4 di2 , shui3 lai2 tu3 yan4] /counter soldiers with arms, water with an earth weir (成语 saw); different situations call for different action/adopt measures appropriate to the actual situation/

- 兵家常事 兵家常事 [bing1 jia1 chang2 shi4] /commonplace in military operations (成语 saw)/

- 兵戈擾攘 兵戈扰攘 [bing1 ge1 rao3 rang3] /arms and confusion (成语 saw); turmoil of war/

- 兵敗如山倒 兵败如山倒 [bing1 bai4 ru2 shan1 dao3] /troops in defeat like a landslide (成语 saw); a beaten army in total collapse/

- 兵精糧足 兵精粮足 [bing1 jing1 liang2 zu2] /elite soldiers, ample provisions (成语 saw); well prepared forces/preparations for war are in an advanced state/

- 兵臨城下 兵临城下 [bing1 lin2 cheng2 xia4] /soldiers at the city walls (成语 saw); fig. at a critical juncture/

- 兵馬未動，糧草先行 兵马未动，粮草先行 [bing1 ma3 wei4 dong4 , liang2 cao3 xian1 xing2] /before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (成语 saw); logistics comes before military maneuvers/an army marches on its stomach/

- 冒名頂替 冒名顶替 [mao4 ming2 ding3 ti4] /to assume sb's name and take his place (成语 saw); to impersonate/to pose under a false name/

- 冤家對頭 冤家对头 [yuan1 jia1 dui4 tou2] /enemy (成语 saw); opponent/arch-enemy/

- 冤家路窄 冤家路窄 [yuan1 jia1 lu4 zhai3] /lit. enemies on a narrow road (成语 saw); fig. an inevitable clash between opposing factions/

- 冥思苦想 冥思苦想 [ming2 si1 ku3 xiang3] /to consider from all angles (成语 saw); to think hard/to rack one's brains/

- 冰凍三尺，非一日之寒 冰冻三尺，非一日之寒 [bing1 dong4 san1 chi3 , fei1 yi1 ri4 zhi1 han2] /three feet of ice does not form in a single day (成语 saw); Rome wasn't built in a day/

- 冰清玉潔 冰清玉洁 [bing1 qing1 yu4 jie2] /clear as ice and clean as jade (成语 saw); spotless/irreproachable/incorruptible/

- 冰炭不言，冷熱自明 冰炭不言，冷热自明 [bing1 tan4 bu4 yan2 , leng3 re4 zi4 ming2] /ice or coals, whether hot or cold goes without saying (成语 saw); fig. sincerity is not expressed in words/

- 冰雪聰明 冰雪聪明 [bing1 xue3 cong1 ming5] /exceptionally intelligent (成语 saw)/

- 冷嘲热讽 冷嘲热讽 [leng3 chao2 re4 feng3] /frigid irony and scorching satire (成语 saw); to mock and ridicule/

- 冷言冷語 冷言冷语 [leng3 yan2 leng3 yu3] /cold words and sarcastic comments (成语 saw); to mock and ridicule/

- 冷語冰人 冷语冰人 [leng3 yu3 bing1 ren2] /cold words and sarcastic comments (成语 saw); to mock and ridicule/

- 出乎意外 出乎意外 [chu1 hu1 yi4 wai4] /beyond expectation (成语 saw); unexpected/

- 出乎意料 出乎意料 [chu1 hu1 yi4 liao4] /beyond expectation (成语 saw); unexpected/

- 出乎預料 出乎预料 [chu1 hu1 yu4 liao4] /beyond expectation (成语 saw); unexpected/

- 出人意外 出人意外 [chu1 ren2 yi4 wai4] /turned out other than expected (成语 saw); unexpected/

- 出人意料 出人意料 [chu1 ren2 yi4 liao4] /exceeds expectations (成语 saw); much better than anticipated/unexpected/

- 出人頭地 出人头地 [chu1 ren2 tou2 di4] /outstanding (成语 saw); a pinnacle of virtue and ability/

- 出其不意 出其不意 [chu1 qi2 bu4 yi4] /to do sth when least expected (成语 saw); to catch sb off guard/

- 出水芙蓉 出水芙蓉 [chu1 shui3 fu2 rong2] /as a lotus flower breaking the surface (成语 saw); surpassingly beautiful (of young lady's face or old gentleman's calligraphy)/

- 出生入死 出生入死 [chu1 sheng1 ru4 si3] /from the cradle to the grave (成语 saw); to go through fire and water/brave/willing to risk life and limb/

- 出神入化 出神入化 [chu1 shen2 ru4 hua4] /to reach perfection (成语 saw); a superb artistic achievement/

- 出謀劃策 出谋划策 [chu1 mou2 hua4 ce4] /(成语 saw) to give advice/to put forward plans and ideas (also derog.)/

- 出類拔萃 出类拔萃 [chu1 lei4 ba2 cui4] /to excel the common (成语 saw); surpassing/preeminent/outstanding/

- 刀鋸斧鉞 刀锯斧钺 [dao1 ju4 fu3 yue4] /knife, saw, ax and hatchet (成语 saw); facing torture and execution/

- 分崩離析 分崩离析 [fen1 beng1 li2 xi1] /to collapse and fall apart (成语 saw); to break up/falling to pieces/

- 分秒必爭 分秒必争 [fen1 miao3 bi4 zheng1] /seize every minute and second (成语 saw); not a minute to lose/every moment counts/

- 切中時弊 切中时弊 [qie4 zhong4 shi2 bi4] /to hit home on the evils of the day (成语 saw); fig. to hit a current political target/to hit the nub of the matter/

- 切中時病 切中时病 [qie4 zhong4 shi2 bing4] /to hit the target where it hurts (成语 saw); fig. to hit home/to hit the nail on the head (in an argument)/

- 切中要害 切中要害 [qie1 zhong1 yao4 hai4] /to cut to the crucial point (成语 saw); to get to the crux/an argument or criticism that really hits home/

- 切中要害 切中要害 [qie4 zhong4 yao4 hai4] /to hit the target and do real damage (成语 saw); to hit where it hurts/fig. to hit home/an argument hits the nail on the head/

- 切磋琢磨 切磋琢磨 [qie1 cuo1 zhuo2 mo2] /gradual improvement by slow polishing (成语 saw); fig. education as a gradual process/

- 初生之犢不怕虎 初生之犊不怕虎 [chu1 sheng1 zhi1 du2 bu4 pa4 hu3] /A new-born calf has no fear of the tiger (成语 saw). The fearlessness of youth./

- 初露頭角 初露头角 [chu1 lu4 tou2 jiao3] /lit. to first show one's horns (成语 saw); fig. a first show of emerging talent/first sign of emerging talent/budding genius/

- 別出心裁 别出心裁 [bie2 chu1 xin1 cai2] /to hit on sth new (成语 saw); to display originality/to adopt an original approach/

- 別有用心 别有用心 [bie2 you3 yong4 xin1] /to have an ulterior motive (成语 saw); a hidden agenda/

- 別樹一幟 别树一帜 [bie2 shu4 yi1 zhi4] /lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (成语 saw); 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 [bie2 shu4 yi1 qi2] /lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (成语 saw); fig. to act as a loner/to stand out/to develop one's own school/to have attitude of one's own/

- 別開生面 别开生面 [bie2 kai1 sheng1 mian4] /to start sth new or original (成语 saw); to break a new path/to break fresh ground/

- 刨根問底 刨根问底 [pao2 gen1 wen4 di3] /to dig up roots and inquire at the base (成语 saw); to get to the bottom of sth/

- 利令智昏 利令智昏 [li4 ling4 zhi4 hun1] /the prospect of profit confuses the mind (成语 saw); a conflict of interest may lead to corrupt judgment/

- 利欲燻心 利欲熏心 [li4 yu4 xun1 xin1] /lit. greed captivates the heart's tunnel (成语 saw); obsessed with the desire for gain/overcome by greed/

- 刻舟求劍 刻舟求剑 [ke4 zhou1 qiu2 jian4] /lit. a notch on the side of a boat to locate a sword dropped overboard (成语 saw); fig. an action made pointless by changed circumstances/

- 刻苦耐勞 刻苦耐劳 [ke4 ku3 nai4 lao2] /to bear hardships and work hard (成语 saw); assiduous and long-suffering/hard-working and capable of overcoming adversity/

- 削職為民 削职为民 [xue1 zhi2 wei2 min2] /demotion to commoner (成语 saw)/

- 削足適履 削足适履 [xue1 zu2 shi4 lu:3] /to cut the feet to fit the shoes (成语 saw); to force sth to fit (as to a Procrustean bed)/impractical or inelegant solution/

- 剋己奉公 克己奉公 [ke4 ji3 feng4 gong1] /self-restraint and devotion to public duties (成语 saw); selfless dedication/to serve the public interest wholeheartedly/

- 前事不忘，後事之師 前事不忘，后事之师 [qian2 shi4 bu4 wang4 , hou4 shi4 zhi1 shi1] /don't forget past events, they can guide you in future (成语 saw); benefit from past experience/

- 前仆後繼 前仆后继 [qian2 pu1 hou4 ji4] /one falls, the next follows (成语 saw); stepping into the breach to replace fallen comrades/advancing wave upon wave/

- 前因後果 前因后果 [qian2 yin1 hou4 guo3] /cause and effects (成语 saw); entire process of development/

- 前怕狼後怕虎 前怕狼后怕虎 [qian2 pa4 lang2 hou4 pa4 hu3] /lit. to fear the wolf in front and the tiger behind (成语 saw); fig. needless fears/scare mongering/reds under the beds/

- 前車之覆，後車之鑒 前车之覆，后车之鉴 [qian2 che1 zhi1 fu4 , hou4 che1 zhi1 jian4] /lit. the cart in front overturns, a warning to the following cart (成语 saw); fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor/learn from past mistake/once bitten twice shy/

- 前門打虎，後門打狼 前门打虎，后门打狼 [qian2 men2 da3 hu3 , hou4 men2 da3 lang2] /to beat a tiger from the front door, only to have a wolf come in at the back (成语 saw); fig. facing one problem after another/

- 前門拒虎，後門進狼 前门拒虎，后门进狼 [qian2 men2 ju4 hu3 , hou4 men2 jin4 lang2] /to beat a tiger from the front door, only to have a wolf come in at the back (成语 saw); fig. facing one problem after another/

- 剛愎自用 刚愎自用 [gang1 bi4 zi4 yong4] /obstinate and self-opinionated (成语 saw); stubborn/

- 剛毅木訥 刚毅木讷 [gang1 yi4 mu4 ne4] /stalwart and plain spoken (成语 saw); unwavering and prudent/

- 剪草除根 剪草除根 [jian3 cao3 chu2 gen1] /lit. cut grass and pull out roots (成语 saw); fig. to destroy root and branch/to eradicate/

- 創巨痛深 创巨痛深 [chuang4 ju4 tong4 shen1] /untold pain and suffering (成语 saw); deeply scarred for life/

- 劈空扳害 劈空扳害 [pi1 kong1 ban1 hai4] /damaged by groundless slander (成语 saw)/

- 劍拔弩張 剑拔弩张 [jian4 ba2 nu3 zhang1] /lit. with swords drawn and bows bent (成语 saw); fig. a state of mutual hostility/at daggers drawn/

- 力不從心 力不从心 [li4 bu4 cong2 xin1] /less capable than desirable (成语 saw); not as strong as one would wish/the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak/

- 力所能及 力所能及 [li4 suo3 neng2 ji2] /as far as one's capabilities extend (成语 saw); to the best of one's ability/within one's powers/

- 力挽狂瀾 力挽狂澜 [li4 wan3 kuang2 lan2] /to pull strongly against a crazy tide (成语 saw); fig. to try hard to save a desperate crisis/

- 力排眾議 力排众议 [li4 pai2 zhong4 yi4] /to stand one's ground against the opinion of the masses (成语 saw)/

- 力爭上遊 力争上游 [li4 zheng1 shang4 you2] /to strive for mastery (成语 saw); aiming for the best result/to have high ambitions/

- 功到自然成 功到自然成 [gong1 dao4 zi4 ran2 cheng2] /effort will undoubtedly lead to success (成语 saw)/

- 功名利祿 功名利禄 [gong1 ming2 li4 lu4] /position and wealth (成语 saw); rank, fame and fortune/

- 功德圓滿 功德圆满 [gong1 de2 yuan2 man3] /virtuous achievements come to their successful conclusion (成语 saw)/

- 功德無量 功德无量 [gong1 de2 wu2 liang4] /no end of virtuous achievements (成语 saw); boundless beneficence/

- 功成不居 功成不居 [gong1 cheng2 bu4 ju1] /not to claim personal credit for achievement (成语 saw)/

- 功成名就 功成名就 [gong1 cheng2 ming2 jiu4] /to win success and recognition (成语 saw)/

- 功敗垂成 功败垂成 [gong1 bai4 chui2 cheng2] /to fail within sight of success (成语 saw); last-minute failure/to fall at the last hurdle/snatching defeat from the jaws of victory/

- 功虧一簣 功亏一篑 [gong1 kui1 yi1 kui4] /lacking the final bucket of earth (成语 saw); to fail for lack of a final effort/to fall at the last hurdle/

- 功高不賞 功高不赏 [gong1 gao1 bu4 shang3] /high merit that one can never repay (成语 saw); invaluable achievements/

- 功高望重 功高望重 [gong1 gao1 wang4 zhong4] /high merit and worthy prospects (成语 saw)/

- 加官進位 加官进位 [jia1 guan1 jin4 wei4] /promotion in official post and salary raise (成语 saw)/

- 加官進爵 加官进爵 [jia1 guan1 jin4 jue2] /promotion to the nobility (成语 saw)/

- 加官進祿 加官进禄 [jia1 guan1 jin4 lu4] /promotion in official post and salary raise (成语 saw)/

- 助人為樂 助人为乐 [zhu4 ren2 wei2 le4] /pleasure from helping others (成语 saw)/

- 助紂為虐 助纣为虐 [zhu4 zhou4 wei2 nu:e4] /helping tyrant Zhòu 紂|纣 in his oppression (成语 saw); to take the side of the evil-doer/giving succor to the enemy/

- 劫後餘生 劫后余生 [jie2 hou4 yu2 sheng1] /after the calamity, renewed life (成语 saw); new lease of life/

- 劫數難逃 劫数难逃 [jie2 shu4 nan2 tao2] /Destiny is inexorable, there is no fleeing it (成语 saw). Your doom is at hand./

- 動人心魄 动人心魄 [dong4 ren2 xin1 po4] /to move and thrill (成语 saw); exciting/

- 動輒得咎 动辄得咎 [dong4 zhe2 de2 jiu4] /faulted at every turn (成语 saw); can't get anything right/

- 動魄驚心 动魄惊心 [dong4 po4 jing1 xin1] /shaking one to the core (成语 saw); extremely disturbing/shattering/hair-raising/

- 勢不兩立 势不两立 [shi4 bu4 liang3 li4] /the two cannot exist together (成语 saw); irreconcilable differences/incompatible standpoints/

- 勢不可當 势不可当 [shi4 bu4 ke3 dang1] /impossible to resist (成语 saw); an irresistible force/

- 勢在必行 势在必行 [shi4 zai4 bi4 xing2] /circumstances require action (成语 saw); absolutely necessary/imperative/

- 勢均力敵 势均力敌 [shi4 jun1 li4 di2] /balance of power (成语 saw); evenly matched adversaries/

- 勢成騎虎 势成骑虎 [shi4 cheng2 qi2 hu3] /if you ride a tiger, it's hard to get off (成语 saw); fig. impossible to stop halfway/

- 勸善懲惡 劝善惩恶 [quan4 shan4 cheng2 e4] /to encourage virtue and punish evil (成语 saw)/

- 勾心鬥角 勾心斗角 [gou1 xin1 dou4 jiao3] /(in palace construction) center hook and corner link (成语 saw); fig. intriguing against each other/locked in constant strife/

- 包打天下 包打天下 [bao1 da3 tian1 xia4] /to run everything (成语 saw); to monopolize the whole business/not allow anyone else to have a look in/

- 包攬詞訟 包揽词讼 [bao1 lan3 ci2 song4] /to practice legal chicanery (成语 saw)/

- 包藏禍心 包藏祸心 [bao1 cang2 huo4 xin1] /to harbor evil intentions (成语 saw); concealing malice/

- 包辦代替 包办代替 [bao1 ban4 dai4 ti4] /to do everything oneself (成语 saw); not to allow others in on the act/

- 化敵為友 化敌为友 [hua4 di2 wei2 you3] /to convert an enemy into a friend (成语 saw)/

- 化險為夷 化险为夷 [hua4 xian3 wei2 yi2] /to turn peril into safety (成语 saw); to avert disaster/

- 十全十美 十全十美 [shi2 quan2 shi2 mei3] /complete and beautiful (成语 saw) to be perfect/

- 十年樹木，百年樹人 十年树木，百年树人 [shi2 nian2 shu4 mu4 , bai3 nian2 shu4 ren2] /It takes ten years to nurture a tree, but a hundred years to train a man (成语 saw). A good education program takes a long time to develop./

- 千千萬萬 千千万万 [qian1 qian1 wan4 wan4] /lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands (成语 saw); untold numbers/innumerable/thousands upon thousands/

- 千奇百怪 千奇百怪 [qian1 qi2 bai3 guai4] /fantastic oddities of every description (成语 saw)/

- 千姿百態 千姿百态 [qian1 zi1 bai3 tai4] /fantastic oddities of every description (成语 saw)/

- 千慮一失 千虑一失 [qian1 lu:4 yi1 shi1] /reflect a thousand times and you can still make a mistake (成语 saw); to err is human/

- 千方百計 千方百计 [qian1 fang1 bai3 ji4] /lit. thousand ways, a hundred plans (成语 saw); by every possible means/

- 千真萬確 千真万确 [qian1 zhen1 wan4 que4] /absolutely true (成语 saw)/manifold/true from many points of view/

- 千篇一律 千篇一律 [qian1 pian1 yi1 lu:4] /thousand articles, same rule (成语 saw); stereotyped and repetitive/once you've seen one, you've seen them all/

- 千言萬語 千言万语 [qian1 yan2 wan4 yu3] /thousands of words (成语 saw); having a lot of things to say/talking nonstop/

- 千變萬軫 千变万轸 [qian1 bian4 wan4 zhen3] /constantly changing, ever-varying (成语 saw)/

- 千軍萬馬 千军万马 [qian1 jun1 wan4 ma3] /magnificent army with thousands of men and horses (成语 saw); impressive display of manpower/all the King's horses and all the King's men/

- 千載難逢 千载难逢 [qian1 zai3 nan2 feng2] /lit. hard to meet in a thousand years (成语 saw); extremely rare opportunity/once in a blue moon/

- 千里寄鵝毛 千里寄鹅毛 [qian1 li3 ji4 e2 mao2] /goose feather sent from afar (成语 saw); a trifling present with a weighty thought behind it/also written 千里送鵝毛|千里送鹅毛/

- 千里送鵝毛 千里送鹅毛 [qian1 li3 song4 e2 mao2] /goose feather sent from afar (成语 saw); a trifling present with a weighty thought behind it/

- 千里送鵝毛，禮輕人意重 千里送鹅毛，礼轻人意重 [qian1 li3 song4 e2 mao2 , li3 qing1 ren2 yi4 zhong4] /goose feather sent from afar, a slight present but weighty meaning (成语 saw); It's not the present the counts, it's the thought behind it./

- 千里送鵝毛，禮輕情意重 千里送鹅毛，礼轻情意重 [qian1 li3 song4 e2 mao2 , li3 qing1 qing2 yi4 zhong4] /goose feather sent from afar, a trifling present with a weighty thought behind it (成语 saw); It's not the gift that counts, but the thought behind it./

- 千金一擲 千金一掷 [qian1 jin1 yi1 zhi4] /lit. stake a thousand pieces of gold on one throw (成语 saw); to throw away money recklessly/extravagant/

- 千金一諾 千金一诺 [qian1 jin1 yi1 nuo4] /a promise worth one thousand in gold (成语 saw); a promise that must be kept/

- 千金難買 千金难买 [qian1 jin1 nan2 mai3] /can't be bought for one thousand in gold (成语 saw)/

- 千鈞一發 千钧一发 [qian1 jun1 yi1 fa1] /a thousand pounds hangs by a thread (成语 saw); imminent peril/a matter of life or death/

- 半推半就 半推半就 [ban4 tui1 ban4 jiu4] /half willing and half unwilling (成语 saw); to yield after making a show of resistance/

- 半真半假 半真半假 [ban4 zhen1 ban4 jia3] /(成语 saw) half true and half false/

- 半途而廢 半途而废 [ban4 tu2 er2 fei4] /to give up halfway (成语 saw); leave sth unfinished/

- 卑躬屈膝 卑躬屈膝 [bei1 gong1 qu1 xi1] /to bow and bend the knee (成语 saw); fawning/bending and scraping to curry favor/

- 卑鄙齷齪 卑鄙龌龊 [bei1 bi3 wo4 chuo4] /sordid and contemptible (成语 saw); vile and repulsive (esp. character or action)/

- 卑陋齷齪 卑陋龌龊 [bei1 lou4 wo4 chuo4] /sordid and contemptible (成语 saw); vile and repulsive (esp. character or action)/

- 卓乎不群 卓乎不群 [zhuo2 hu1 bu4 qun2] /standing out from the common crowd (成语 saw); outstanding/preeminent/

- 卓爾不群 卓尔不群 [zhuo2 er3 bu4 qun2] /standing above the common crowd (成语 saw); outstanding/excellent and unrivaled/

- 南征北伐 南征北伐 [nan2 zheng1 bei3 fa2] /war on all sides (成语 saw); fighting from all four quarters/

- 南征北戰 南征北战 [nan2 zheng1 bei3 zhan4] /war on all sides (成语 saw); fighting from all four quarters/

- 南征北討 南征北讨 [nan2 zheng1 bei3 tao3] /war on all sides (成语 saw); fighting from all four quarters/

- 博士買驢 博士买驴 [bo2 shi4 mai3 lu:2] /lit. the scholar buys a donkey (成语 saw); fig. long-winded verbiage that never gets to the point/a saw mocking scholastic pomposity/

- 博學多才 博学多才 [bo2 xue2 duo1 cai2] /erudite and multi-talented (成语 saw); versatile and able/

- 博而不精 博而不精 [bo2 er2 bu4 jing1] /extensive but not refined (成语 saw); to know something about everything/Jack of all trades and master of none./

- 博識多通 博识多通 [bo2 shi2 duo1 tong1] /knowledgeable and perspicacious (成语 saw)/

- 危在旦夕 危在旦夕 [wei1 zai4 dan4 xi1] /lit. danger now morning or evening (成语 saw); on the verge of death/expected any moment now/The crisis is imminent./

- 危如朝露 危如朝露 [wei1 ru2 zhao1 lu4] /precarious as the morning dew (成语 saw); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence/

- 危如累卵 危如累卵 [wei1 ru2 lei3 luan3] /precarious as pile of eggs (成语 saw); ready to fall and break at any moment/in a dangerous state/

- 危若朝露 危若朝露 [wei1 ruo4 zhao1 lu4] /precarious as morning due (成语 saw); unlikely to last out the day/

- 危言聳聽 危言耸听 [wei1 yan2 song3 ting1] /frightening words to scare people (成语 saw); alarmist talk/reds under the beds/

- 卿卿我我 卿卿我我 [qing1 qing1 wo3 wo3] /to bill and coo (成语 saw)/to whisper sweet nothings to one another/to be very much in love/

- 原封不動 原封不动 [yuan2 feng1 bu4 dong4] /sticking unmoving to the original (成语 saw); not an iota changed/untouched/

- 原形畢露 原形毕露 [yuan2 xing2 bi4 lu4] /original identity fully revealed (成语 saw); fig. to unmask and expose the whole truth/

- 參差不齊 参差不齐 [cen1 ci1 bu4 qi2] /unevenly matched (成语 saw); scraggly/jagged/

- 參差錯落 参差错落 [cen1 ci1 cuo4 luo4] /uneven and jumbled (成语 saw); irregular and disorderly/in a tangled mess/

- 及時行樂 及时行乐 [ji2 shi2 xing2 le4] /to enjoy the present (成语 saw); to live happily with no though for the future/make merry while you can/carpe diem/

- 及鋒而試 及锋而试 [ji2 feng1 er2 shi4] /lit. to reach the tip and try (成语 saw); to have a go when at one's peak/

- 反唇相譏 反唇相讥 [fan3 chun2 xiang1 ji1] /mutual bickering and ridicule (成语 saw); sarcastic repartee/

- 反客為主 反客为主 [fan3 ke4 wei2 zhu3] /lit. the guest acts as host (成语 saw); fig. to turn from passive to active behavior/

- 反敗為勝 反败为胜 [fan3 bai4 wei2 sheng4] /to turn defeat into victory (成语 saw); to turn the tide/

- 反目成仇 反目成仇 [fan3 mu4 cheng2 chou2] /to become enemies (成语 saw); to fall out with sb/

- 反臉無情 反脸无情 [fan3 lian3 wu2 qing2] /to turn one's face against sb and show no mercy (成语 saw); to turn against a friend/

- 口乾舌燥 口干舌燥 [kou3 gan1 she2 zao4] /lit. dry mouth and tongue (成语 saw); to talk too much/

- 口口聲聲 口口声声 [kou3 kou5 sheng1 sheng1] /to keep on saying (成语 saw); to repeat over and over again/

- 口是心非 口是心非 [kou3 shi4 xin1 fei1] /lit. mouth says yes, heart no (成语 saw); duplicity/empty words/

- 口碑流傳 口碑流传 [kou3 bei1 liu2 chuan2] /widely praised (成语 saw); with an extensive public reputation/

- 口若懸河 口若悬河 [kou3 ruo4 xuan2 he2] /mouth like a torrent (成语 saw)/eloquent/glib/voluble/have the gift of the gab/

- 口蜜腹劍 口蜜腹剑 [kou3 mi4 fu4 jian4] /lit. honeyed words, a sword in the belly (成语 saw); fig. hypocritical and murderous/

- 口齒伶俐 口齿伶俐 [kou3 chi3 ling2 li4] /eloquent and fluent speaker (成语 saw); grandiloquence/the gift of the gab/

- 口齒生香 口齿生香 [kou3 chi3 sheng1 xiang1] /eloquence that generates perfume (成语 saw); profound and significant text/

- 另起爐灶 另起炉灶 [ling4 qi3 lu2 zao4] /lit. to set up a separate kitchen (成语 saw); to start from scratch/back to square one/to start of on a new path/

- 只欠東風 只欠东风 [zhi3 qian4 dong1 feng1] /all we need is an east wind (成语 saw); lacking only one tiny crucial item/

- 只知其一，不知其二 只知其一，不知其二 [zhi3 zhi1 qi2 yi1 , bu4 zhi1 qi2 er4] /to know the first, but not know the second (成语 saw); only partial information/

- 只要功夫深，鐵杵磨成針 只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针 [zhi3 yao4 gong1 fu5 shen1 , tie3 chu3 mo2 cheng2 zhen1] /If you work at it hard enough, you can grind an iron bar into a needle./cf saw 磨杵成針|磨杵成针, to grind an iron bar down to a fine needle (成语 saw); fig. to persevere in a difficult task/to study diligently/

- 只言片語 只言片语 [zhi3 yan2 pian4 yu3] /just a word or two (成语 saw); a few isolated phrases/

- 只雞斗酒 只鸡斗酒 [zhi1 ji1 dou3 jiu3] /lit. a chicken and a bottle of wine (成语 saw); fig. ready to make an offering to the deceased, or to entertain guests/

- 叫苦不迭 叫苦不迭 [jiao4 ku3 bu5 die2] /to complain without stopping (成语 saw); to bitch endless/incessant grievances/

- 叫苦連天 叫苦连天 [jiao4 ku3 lian2 tian1] /to whine on for days (成语 saw)/to endlessly grumble complaints/incessant whining/

- 可歌可泣 可歌可泣 [ke3 ge1 ke3 qi4] /lit. you can sing or you can cry (成语 saw); fig. deeply moving/happy and sad/inspiring and tragic/

- 叱咤風雲 叱咤风云 [chi4 zha4 feng1 yun2] /lit. to rebuke Heaven and Earth (成语 saw); fig. shaking the whole world/all-powerful/

- 吃一塹，長一智 吃一堑，长一智 [chi1 yi1 qian4 , chang2 yi1 zhi4] /Fall into the moat and you'll be wiser next time (成语 saw). One only learns from one's mistakes./

- 吃力不討好 吃力不讨好 [chi1 li4 bu4 tao3 hao3] /arduous and thankless task (成语 saw); strenuous and unrewarding/

- 吃喝玩樂 吃喝玩乐 [chi1 he1 wan2 le4] /eat, drink and be merry (成语 saw)/to abandon oneself to a life of pleasure/

- 吃苦耐勞 吃苦耐劳 [chi1 ku3 nai4 lao2] /hardworking and enduring hardships (成语 saw)/

- 各儘所能 各尽所能 [ge4 jin4 suo3 neng2] /each does his utmost (成语 saw); from each according to his means/

- 各執一詞 各执一词 [ge4 zhi2 yi1 ci2] /each sticks to his own version (成语 saw); a dialogue of the deaf/

- 各執己見 各执己见 [ge4 zhi2 ji3 jian4] /each sticks to his own view (成语 saw); a dialogue of the deaf/

- 各奔前程 各奔前程 [ge4 ben4 qian2 cheng2] /each goes his own way (成语 saw); each person has his own life to lead/

- 各持己見 各持己见 [ge4 chi2 ji3 jian4] /each sticks to his own opinion (成语 saw); chacun son gout/

- 各有所好 各有所好 [ge4 you3 suo3 hao4] /Each has his likes and dislikes (成语 saw). There is no accounting for tastes./chacun son gout/

- 合情合理 合情合理 [he2 qing2 he2 li3] /reasonable and fair (成语 saw)/

- 合眼摸象 合眼摸象 [he2 yan3 mo1 xiang4] /to touch an elephant with closed eyes (成语 saw); to proceed blindly/

- 合而為一 合而为一 [he2 er2 wei2 yi1] /to merge together (成语 saw); to unify disparate elements into one whole/

- 同仇敵愾 同仇敌忾 [tong2 chou2 di2 kai4] /anger against a common enemy (成语 saw); joined in opposition to the same adversary/

- 同室操戈 同室操戈 [tong2 shi4 cao1 ge1] /wielding the halberd within the household (成语 saw); internecine strife/

- 同床異夢 同床异梦 [tong2 chuang2 yi4 meng4] /lit. to share the same bed with different dreams (成语 saw); ostensible partners with different agendas/strange bedfellows/marital dissension/

- 同心協力 同心协力 [tong2 xin1 xie2 li4] /to work with a common purpose (成语 saw); to make concerted efforts/to pull together/to work as one/

- 同心同德 同心同德 [tong2 xin1 tong2 de2] /of one mind (成语 saw)/

- 同日而語 同日而语 [tong2 ri4 er2 yu3] /lit. to speak of two things on the same day (成语 saw); to mention things on equal terms (often with negatives: you can't mention X at the same time as Y)/

- 同流合污 同流合污 [tong2 liu2 he2 wu1] /to wallow in the mire with sb (成语 saw); to follow the bad example of others/

- 同甘共苦 同甘共苦 [tong2 gan1 gong4 ku3] /shared delights and common hardships (成语 saw); to share life's joys and sorrows/for better or for worse/

- 同病相憐 同病相怜 [tong2 bing4 xiang1 lian2] /fellow sufferers empathize with each other (成语 saw); misery loves company/

- 同符合契 同符合契 [tong2 fu2 he2 qi4] /same sign, joint aim (成语 saw); fig. completely compatible/identical/

- 同舟共濟 同舟共济 [tong2 zhou1 gong4 ji4] /cross a river in the same boat (成语 saw); fig. having common interests/obliged to collaborate towards common goals/

- 名不副實 名不副实 [ming2 bu4 fu4 shi2] /the name does not reflect the reality (成语 saw); more in name than in fact/Reality does not live up to the name./Excellent theory, but the practice does not bear it out./

- 名不符實 名不符实 [ming2 bu4 fu2 shi2] /the name does not correspond to reality (成语 saw); it doesn't live up to its reputation/

- 名不虛傳 名不虚传 [ming2 bu4 xu1 chuan2] /lit. name is not in vain (成语 saw); a fully justified reputation/enjoys a well-deserved reputation/

- 名利雙收 名利双收 [ming2 li4 shuang1 shou1] /both fame and profit (成语 saw)/

- 名副其實 名副其实 [ming2 fu4 qi2 shi2] /not just in name only, but also in reality (成语 saw)/

- 名噪一時 名噪一时 [ming2 zao4 yi1 shi2] /to achieve fame among one's contemporaries (成语 saw); temporary or local celebrity/

- 名垂青史 名垂青史 [ming2 chui2 qing1 shi3] /lit. reputation will go down in history (成语 saw); fig. achievements will earn eternal glory/

- 名存實亡 名存实亡 [ming2 cun2 shi2 wang2] /the name remains, but the reality is gone (成语 saw)/

- 名師出高徒 名师出高徒 [ming2 shi1 chu1 gao1 tu2] /A famous teacher trains a fine student (成语 saw). A cultured man will have a deep influence on his successors./

- 名目繁多 名目繁多 [ming2 mu4 fan2 duo1] /names of many kinds (成语 saw); items of every description/

- 名落孫山 名落孙山 [ming2 luo4 sun1 shan1] /(成语 saw) to fail in imperial exam/

- 名門望族 名门望族 [ming2 men2 wang4 zu2] /offspring a famous family (成语 saw); good breeding/blue blood/

- 名韁利鎖 名缰利锁 [ming2 jiang1 li4 suo3] /lit. fettered by fame and locked up by riches (成语 saw); tied down by reputation and wealth/the victim of one's own success/

- 吐絲自縛 吐丝自缚 [tu3 si1 zi4 fu2] /to spin a cocoon around oneself (成语 saw); enmeshed in a trap of one's own devising/hoist with his own petard/

- 向壁虛構 向壁虚构 [xiang4 bi4 xu1 gou4] /facing a wall, an imaginary construction (成语 saw); baseless fabrication/

- 向壁虛造 向壁虚造 [xiang4 bi4 xu1 zao4] /facing a wall, an imaginary construction (成语 saw); baseless fabrication/

- 吞吞吐吐 吞吞吐吐 [tun1 tun1 tu3 tu3] /to hum and haw (成语 saw); to mumble as if hiding sth/to speak and break off, then start again/to hold sth back/

- 否極泰來 否极泰来 [pi3 ji2 tai4 lai2] /extreme sorrow turns to joy (成语 saw)/

- 含商咀徵 含商咀征 [han2 shang1 ju3 zheng1] /permeated with beautiful music (成语 saw)/

- 含宮咀徵 含宫咀征 [han2 gong1 ju3 zheng1] /permeated with beautiful music (成语 saw)/

- 含情脈脈 含情脉脉 [han2 qing2 mo4 mo4] /full of tender feelings (成语 saw); tender-hearted/

- 含辛茹苦 含辛茹苦 [han2 xin1 ru2 ku3] /to suffer every possible torment (成语 saw); bitter hardship/to bear one's cross/

- 吳下阿蒙 吴下阿蒙 [Wu2 xia4 a1 Meng2] /General Lü Meng 呂矇|吕蒙 of the southern state of Wu (成语 saw); model of self-improvement by diligent study (from unlettered soldier to top strategist of Wu)/

- 吳越同舟 吴越同舟 [Wu2 Yue4 tong2 zhou1] /Wu and Yue in the same boat (成语 saw); fig. cooperation between natural rivals/to collaborate towards a common end/in the same boat together/

- 吳頭楚尾 吴头楚尾 [Wu2 tou2 Chu3 wei3] /lit. head in Wu and tail in Chu (成语 saw); fig. close together/head-to-tail/one thing starts where the other leaves off/

- 吹毛求疵 吹毛求疵 [chui1 mao2 qiu2 ci1] /lit. to blow apart the hairs upon a fur to discover any defect (成语 saw); fig. to be fastidious/nitpick/

- 告一段落 告一段落 [gao4 yi1 duan4 luo4] /to come to the end of a phase (成语 saw)/

- 呢喃細語 呢喃细语 [ni2 nan2 xi4 yu3] /whispering in a low voice (成语 saw); murmuring/

- 周遊列國 周游列国 [zhou1 you2 lie4 guo2] /to travel around many countries (成语 saw); peregrinations/refers to the travels of Confucius/

- 呼之即來 呼之即来 [hu1 zhi1 ji2 lai2] /to come when called (成语 saw); ready and compliant/always at sb's beck and call/

- 呼來喝去 呼来喝去 [hu1 lai2 he4 qu4] /to call to come and shout to go (成语 saw); to yell orders/always bossing people around/

- 呼牛作馬 呼牛作马 [hu1 niu2 zuo4 ma3] /to call sth a cow or a horse (成语 saw); it doesn't matter what you call it/Insult me if you want, I don't care what you call me./

- 呼牛呼馬 呼牛呼马 [hu1 niu2 hu1 ma3] /to call sth a cow or a horse (成语 saw); it doesn't matter what you call it/Insult me if you want, I don't care what you call me./

- 呼風喚雨 呼风唤雨 [hu1 feng1 huan4 yu3] /to call the wind and summon the rain (成语 saw); to exercise magical powers/fig. to stir up troubles/

- 和氣生財 和气生财 [he2 qi4 sheng1 cai2] /(成语 saw) amiability makes you rich/

- 和氣緻祥 和气致祥 [he2 qi4 zhi4 xiang2] /(成语 saw) amiability leads to harmony/

- 咬文嚼字 咬文嚼字 [yao3 wen2 jiao2 zi4] /to bite words and chew characters (成语 saw); punctilious about minutiae of wording/

- 咬牙切齒 咬牙切齿 [yao3 ya2 qie4 chi3] /gnashing one's teeth (成语 saw); displaying extreme anger/fuming with rage between gritted teeth/

- 咬緊牙關 咬紧牙关 [yao3 jin3 ya2 guan1] /lit. to bite the teeth tightly (成语 saw); fig. to grit one's teeth and bear the pain/to bite the bullet/

- 哀兵必勝 哀兵必胜 [ai1 bing1 bi4 sheng4] /an army burning with righteous indignation is bound to win (成语 saw)/

- 哀告賓服 哀告宾服 [ai1 gao4 bin1 fu2] /to bring tribute as sign of submission (成语 saw); to submit/

- 哀而不傷 哀而不伤 [ai1 er2 bu4 shang1] /deeply felt but not mawkish (成语 saw)/

- 哀鴻遍野 哀鸿遍野 [ai1 hong2 bian4 ye3] /lit. plaintive whine of geese (成语 saw); fig. land swarming with disaster victims/starving people fill the land/

- 品學兼優 品学兼优 [pin3 xue2 jian1 you1] /excelling both in morals and studies (成语 saw); top marks for studies and for behaviour (at school)/a paragon of virtue and learning/

- 品頭論足 品头论足 [pin3 tou2 lun4 zu2] /lit. to assess the head and discuss the feet (成语 saw); minute criticism of a woman's appearance/fig. to find fault in minor details/nit-picking/over-critical/

- 哭笑不得 哭笑不得 [ku1 xiao4 bu4 de2] /lit. not to know whether to laugh or cry (成语 saw); both funny and extremely embarrassing/in a desperate state/between laughter and tears/

- 唇亡齒寒 唇亡齿寒 [chun2 wang2 chi3 han2] /lit. without the lips, the teeth feel the cold (成语 saw); fig. intimately interdependent/

- 唇齒 唇齿 [chun2 chi3] /lit. lips and teeth (成语 saw); fig. close partners/interdependent/

- 唇齒相依 唇齿相依 [chun2 chi3 xiang1 yi1] /lit. as close as lips and teeth (成语 saw); closely related/interdependent/

- 唉聲嘆氣 唉声叹气 [ai1 sheng1 tan4 qi4] /sighing voice, wailing breath (成语 saw); to heave deep sighs/sighing in despair/

- 唯利是圖 唯利是图 [wei2 li4 shi4 tu2] /to seek nothing but profit (成语 saw); personal profit before everything/self-seeking/

- 唱對臺戲 唱对台戏 [chang4 dui4 tai2 xi4] /to put on a rival show (成语 saw); to set oneself up against sb/to get into confrontation/

- 唾手可得 唾手可得 [tuo4 shou3 ke3 de2] /within spitting distance (成语 saw); within easy reach/

- 唾面自乾 唾面自干 [tuo4 mian4 zi4 gan1] /to be spat on in the face and let it dry by itself, not wiping it off (成语 saw); to turn the other cheek/to drain the cup of humiliation/

- 問心無愧 问心无愧 [wen4 xin1 wu2 kui4] /lit. look into one's heart, no shame (成语 saw); with a clear conscience/

- 問鼎 问鼎 [wen4 ding3] /lit. to inquire of the tripods (成语 saw); fig. to plan to seize power of the whole country/grand ambitions to win/

- 問鼎中原 问鼎中原 [wen4 ding3 zhong1 yuan2] /lit. to inquire of the tripods (成语 saw); fig. to plan to seize power of the whole country/grand ambitions to win/

- 問鼎輕重 问鼎轻重 [wen4 ding3 qing1 zhong4] /lit. to inquire whether the tripods are light or heavy (成语 saw); a laughable attempt to seize power/

- 啞巴吃黃蓮 哑巴吃黄莲 [ya3 ba5 chi1 huang2 lian2] /no choice but to suffer in silence (成语 saw)/also written 啞巴吃黃連|哑巴吃黄连/(often precedes 有苦說不出|有苦说不出you3 ku3 shuo1 bu5 chu1)/

- 啞巴吃黃連 哑巴吃黄连 [ya3 ba5 chi1 huang2 lian2] /no choice but to suffer in silence (成语 saw)/also written 啞巴吃黃蓮|哑巴吃黄莲/(often precedes 有苦說不出|有苦说不出you3 ku3 shuo1 bu5 chu1)/

- 啼笑皆非 啼笑皆非 [ti2 xiao4 jie1 fei1] /lit. not to know whether to laugh or cry (成语 saw); both funny and extremely embarrassing/in a desperate state/between laughter and tears/

- 啼饑號寒 啼饥号寒 [ti2 ji1 hao2 han2] /hunger cries and cold roars (成语 saw); wretched poverty/

- 善始善終 善始善终 [shan4 shi3 shan4 zhong1] /where there's a start, there's a finish (成语 saw); to finish once one starts sth/to carry things through/I started, so I'll finish./

- 善有善報 善有善报 [shan4 you3 shan4 bao4] /virtue has its rewards (成语 saw); one good turn deserves another/

- 善解人意 善解人意 [shan4 jie3 ren2 yi4] /understanding people's views (成语 saw); fair and considerate/

- 善財難捨 善财难舍 [shan4 cai2 nan2 she3] /to cherish wealth and find it hard to give up (成语 saw); refusing to contribute to charity/skinflint/miserly/

- 喜不自勝 喜不自胜 [xi3 bu4 zi4 sheng4] /unable to contain one's joy (成语 saw)/

- 喜不自禁 喜不自禁 [xi3 bu4 zi4 jin1] /unable to contain one's joy (成语 saw)/

- 喜出望外 喜出望外 [xi3 chu1 wang4 wai4] /overjoyed at unexpected good news (成语 saw)/

- 喜形於色 喜形于色 [xi3 xing2 yu2 se4] /face light up with delight (成语 saw); to beam with joy/

- 喜從天降 喜从天降 [xi3 cong2 tian1 jiang4] /joy from heaven (成语 saw); overjoyed at unexpected good news/unlooked-for happy event/

- 喜新厭舊 喜新厌旧 [xi3 xin1 yan4 jiu4] /lit. to like the new, and hate the old (成语 saw); fig. enamored with new people (e.g. new girlfriend), bored with the old/

- 喜氣洋洋 喜气洋洋 [xi3 qi4 yang2 yang2] /full of joy (成语 saw); jubilation/

- 喜笑顏開 喜笑颜开 [xi3 xiao4 yan2 kai1] /face covered in smiles (成语 saw); beaming with happiness/

- 喜聞樂見 喜闻乐见 [xi3 wen2 le4 jian4] /a delight to see (成语 saw); an attractive spectacle/

- 喝西北風 喝西北风 [he1 xi1 bei3 feng1] /lit. drink the northwest wind (成语 saw); cold and hungry/

- 喪天害理 丧天害理 [sang4 tian1 hai4 li3] /devoid of conscience (成语 saw)/

- 喪家之犬 丧家之犬 [sang4 jia1 zhi1 quan3] /lit. a homeless dog (成语 saw); fig. homeless and with nowhere to go/

- 喪心病狂 丧心病狂 [sang4 xin1 bing4 kuang2] /frenzied (成语 saw); completely crazy and ridiculous/loss of reason/insane/crazed cruelty/

- 喪權辱國 丧权辱国 [sang4 quan2 ru3 guo2] /to forfeit sovereignty and humiliate the country (成语 saw)/to surrender territory under humiliating terms/

- 喪盡天良 丧尽天良 [sang4 jin4 tian1 liang2] /devoid of conscience (成语 saw); utterly heartless/

- 喪魂失魄 丧魂失魄 [sang4 hun2 shi1 po4] /lit. lost soul, vanished spirit (成语 saw); distraught (at a loss)/heart-broken/

- 喪魂落魄 丧魂落魄 [sang4 hun2 luo4 po4] /scared out of one's wits (成语 saw); in a panic/

- 喬裝打扮 乔装打扮 [qiao2 zhuang1 da3 ban4] /to dress up in disguise (成语 saw); to pretend for the purpose of deceit/

- 喬遷之喜 乔迁之喜 [qiao2 qian1 zhi1 xi3] /congratulations on house-moving or promotion (成语 saw); Best wishes for your new home!/

- 單槍匹馬 单枪匹马 [dan1 qiang1 pi3 ma3] /lit. single spear and horse (成语 saw); fig. single handed/unaccompanied/

- 嗜酒如命 嗜酒如命 [shi4 jiu3 ru2 ming4] /to love wine as one's life (成语 saw); fond of the bottle/

- 嘔心瀝血 呕心沥血 [ou3 xin1 li4 xue4] /lit. to spit out one's heart and spill blood (成语 saw)/to work one's heart out/blood, sweat and tears/

- 嘴甜心苦 嘴甜心苦 [zui3 tian2 xin1 ku3] /sweet mouth, bitter heart (成语 saw); insincere flattery/

- 嚎啕大哭 嚎啕大哭 [hao2 tao2 da4 ku1] /to wail/to bawl (成语 saw)/

- 嚴懲不貸 严惩不贷 [yan2 cheng2 bu4 dai4] /to punish strictly with no leniency (成语 saw); to punish and show no mercy/zero tolerance/

- 四分五裂 四分五裂 [si4 fen1 wu3 lie4] /all split up and in pieces (成语 saw); disunity (in an organization)/complete lack of unity/to disintegrate/falling apart/to be at sixes and sevens/

- 四平八穩 四平八稳 [si4 ping2 ba1 wen3] /everything steady and stable (成语 saw); overcautious and unimaginary/

- 四海爲家 四海为家 [si4 hai3 wei2 jia1] /to regard the four corners of the world all as home (成语 saw)/to feel at home anywhere/to roam about unconstrained/to consider the entire country, or world, to be one's own/

- 四海皆准 四海皆准 [si4 hai3 jie1 zhun3] /appropriate to any place and any time (成语 saw); universally applicable/a panacea/

- 四海飄零 四海飘零 [si4 hai3 piao1 ling2] /drifting aimlessly all over the place (成语 saw)/

- 四腳朝天 四脚朝天 [si4 jiao3 chao2 tian1] /four legs facing the sky (成语 saw); flat on one's back)/

- 四通八達 四通八达 [si4 tong1 ba1 da2] /roads open in all directions (成语 saw); accessible from all sides/

- 四面楚歌 四面楚歌 [si4 mian4 chu3 ge1] /lit. on all sides the songs of Chu (成语 saw); fig. surrounded by enemies, isolated and without help (refers to the desperate final hours of Xiangyu 項羽|项羽)/lone dissenting voice/

- 四體不勤，五穀不分 四体不勤，五谷不分 [si4 ti3 bu4 qin2 , wu3 gu3 bu4 fen1] /never move your four limbs, can't distinguish the five crops (成语 saw); living as a parasite/

- 因人成事 因人成事 [yin1 ren2 cheng2 shi4] /to get things done relying on others (成语 saw); with a little help from his friends/

- 因人而異 因人而异 [yin1 ren2 er2 yi4] /varying from person to person (成语 saw); different for each individual/

- 因利乘便 因利乘便 [yin1 li4 cheng2 bian4] /(成语 saw) to rely on the most favorable method/

- 因勢利導 因势利导 [yin1 shi4 li4 dao3] /to take advantage of the new situation (成语 saw)/to make the best of new opportunities/

- 因噎廢食 因噎废食 [yin1 ye1 fei4 shi2] /lit. not eating for fear of choking (成语 saw); fig. to cut off one's nose to spite one's face/to avoid sth essential because of a slight risk/

- 因地制宜 因地制宜 [yin1 di4 zhi4 yi2] /(成语 saw) to use methods in line with local circumstances/

- 因循守舊 因循守旧 [yin1 xun2 shou3 jiu4] /(成语 saw) to continue in the same old rut/diehard conservative attitudes/

- 因時制宜 因时制宜 [yin1 shi2 zhi4 yi2] /(成语 saw) to use methods appropriate to the current situation/

- 因材施教 因材施教 [yin1 cai2 shi1 jiao4] /(成语 saw) to teach in line with the student's ability/

- 因禍得福 因祸得福 [yin1 huo4 de2 fu2] /to profit from a disaster (成语 saw); some good comes out of a setback/It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good./

- 因陋就簡 因陋就简 [yin1 lou4 jiu4 jian3] /crude but simple methods (成语 saw); use whatever methods you can/to do things simply and thriftily/It's not pretty but it works./

- 國家興亡，匹夫有責 国家兴亡，匹夫有责 [guo2 jia1 xing1 wang2 , pi3 fu1 you3 ze2] /The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone (成语 saw). Everyone bears responsibility for the prosperity of society./

- 國色天香 国色天香 [guo2 se4 tian1 xiang1] /national grace, divine fragrance (成语 saw); an outstanding beauty/

- 圍城打援 围城打援 [wei2 cheng2 da3 yuan2] /to besiege and strike the relief force (成语 saw); strategy of surrounding a unit to entice the enemy to reinforce, then striking the new troops/

- 圓鑿方枘 圆凿方枘 [yuan2 zao2 fang1 rui4] /round mortise, square tenon (成语 saw); fig. incompatible/You can't fit square peg into a round hole./

- 土木形骸 土木形骸 [tu3 mu4 xing2 hai2] /earth and wood framework (成语 saw); plain and undecorated body/

- 土洋結合 土洋结合 [tu3 yang2 jie2 he2] /combining native and foreign methods (成语 saw); sophisticated and many-sided/

- 土牛木馬 土牛木马 [tu3 niu2 mu4 ma3] /clay ox, wooden horse (成语 saw); shape without substance/worthless object/

- 土豪劣紳 土豪劣绅 [tu3 hao2 lie4 shen1] /local bosses, shady gentry (成语 saw); dominant local mafia/

- 在所不辭 在所不辞 [zai4 suo3 bu4 ci2] /under no circumstances decline to (成语 saw)/without hesitation/to have no reservations to/

- 地利人和 地利人和 [di4 li4 ren2 he2] /favorable geographical and social conditions (成语 saw); good location and the people satisfied/

- 地動山搖 地动山摇 [di4 dong4 shan1 yao2] /the earth quaked, the mountains shook (成语 saw); a tremendous battle/

- 坎坷不平 坎坷不平 [kan3 ke3 bu4 ping2] /pot-holed and bumpy road (成语 saw); fig. full of disappointment and dashed hopes/

- 坐不垂堂 坐不垂堂 [zuo4 bu4 chui2 tang2] /lit. don't sit under overhanging eaves (成语 saw); fig. don't stay in danger area/

- 坐井觀天 坐井观天 [zuo4 jing3 guan1 tian1] /lit. to view the sky from the bottom of a well (成语 saw); ignorant and narrow-minded/

- 坐以待斃 坐以待毙 [zuo4 yi3 dai4 bi4] /to sit and wait for death (成语 saw); resigned to one's fate/

- 坐失機宜 坐失机宜 [zuo4 shi1 ji1 yi2] /to sit and waste a good opportunity (成语 saw); to lose the chance/

- 坐失良機 坐失良机 [zuo4 shi1 liang2 ji1] /to sit and waste a good opportunity (成语 saw); to lose the chance/

- 坐收漁利 坐收渔利 [zuo4 shou1 yu2 li4] /benefit from others' dispute (成语 saw)/

- 坐觀成敗 坐观成败 [zuo4 guan1 cheng2 bai4] /to sit and await success or failure (成语 saw); to wait to see the outcome of a fight before taking sides/to sit on the fence/

- 垂涎三尺 垂涎叁尺 [chui2 xian2 san1 chi3] /to drool (over) (成语 saw); to yearn for/to covet/to crave/

- 垂涎慾滴 垂涎欲滴 [chui2 xian2 yu4 di1] /saliva drips, desire drools (成语 saw); mouth drooling with greed, lust etc/face showing insatiably desire/

- 垂涎欲滴 垂涎欲滴 [chui2 xian2 yu4 di1] /to drool with desire (成语 saw); to envy/to hunger for/

- 垂頭喪氣 垂头丧气 [chui2 tou2 sang4 qi4] /hanging one's head dispiritedly (成语 saw); dejected/crestfallen/

- 埋頭苦幹 埋头苦干 [mai2 tou2 ku3 gan4] /to bury oneself in work (成语 saw); to be engrossed in work/to make an all-out effort/up to the neck in work/

- 城門失火，殃及池魚 城门失火，殃及池鱼 [cheng2 men2 shi1 huo3 , yang1 ji2 chi2 yu2] /a fire in the city gates is also a calamity for the fish in the moat (成语 saw); the bystander will also suffer/fig. you can't escape responsibility for your actions/ask not for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee/

- 執法如山 执法如山 [zhi2 fa3 ru2 shan1] /to maintain the law as firm as a mountain (成语 saw); to enforce the law strictly/

- 堅壁清野 坚壁清野 [jian1 bi4 qing1 ye3] /to fortify defenses and raze the fields (成语 saw); to leave nothing for the invader/scorched earth policy/

- 堅如磐石 坚如磐石 [jian1 ru2 pan2 shi2] /solid as a boulder (成语 saw); absolutely secure/rock-firm and unyielding/

- 堅強不屈 坚强不屈 [jian1 qiang2 bu4 qu1] /staunch and unyielding (成语 saw); steadfast/

- 堅持不懈 坚持不懈 [jian1 chi2 bu4 xie4] /(成语 saw); to persevere/

- 堅持不渝 坚持不渝 [jian1 chi2 bu4 yu2] /to stick to sth without change (成语 saw); to persevere/

- 堅苦卓絕 坚苦卓绝 [jian1 ku3 zhuo2 jue2] /persisting despite trials and tribulations (成语 saw); conspicuous determination/

- 堅貞不屈 坚贞不屈 [jian1 zhen1 bu4 qu1] /faithful and unchanging (成语 saw); steadfast/

- 堅貞不渝 坚贞不渝 [jian1 zhen1 bu4 yu2] /unyielding integrity (成语 saw); unwavering/

- 堅韌不拔 坚韧不拔 [jian1 ren4 bu4 ba2] /firm and indomitable (成语 saw); tenacious and unyielding/

- 堆案盈几 堆案盈几 [dui1 an4 ying2 ji1] /lit. piles of work and papers (成语 saw); fig. accumulated backlog of work/

- 報應不爽 报应不爽 [bao4 ying4 bu4 shuang3] /appropriate retribution (成语 saw)/

- 塚中枯骨 冢中枯骨 [zhong3 zhong1 ku1 gu3] /dried bones in burial mound (成语 saw); dead and buried/

- 塞翁失馬 塞翁失马 [Sai4 weng1 shi1 ma3] /The old man lost his mare, but it all turned out for the best (成语 saw); fig. a blessing in disguise/It's an ill wind that blows no-one any good./

- 塞翁失馬安知非福 塞翁失马安知非福 [Sai4 weng1 shi1 ma3 an1 zhi1 fei1 fu2] /The old man lost his mare, but it all turned out for the best (成语 saw); fig. a blessing in disguise/It's an ill wind that blows no-one any good./

- 塵埃落定 尘埃落定 [chen2 ai1 luo4 ding4] /the dust settles (成语 saw); complicated things become clear in the end/

- 墨守成規 墨守成规 [mo4 shou3 cheng2 gui1] /hidebound by convention (成语 saw)/

- 墮雲霧中 堕云雾中 [duo4 yun2 wu4 zhong1] /lit. to become lost in a fog (成语 saw); fig. at a complete loss/

- 壹敗塗地 壹败涂地 [yi1 bai4 tu2 di4] /beaten and wiped over the floor (成语 saw); to fail utterly/a crushing defeat/failed and in a hopeless position/

- 夙夜匪懈 夙夜匪懈 [su4 ye4 fei3 xie4] /to work from morning to night (成语 saw)/

- 夙興夜寐 夙兴夜寐 [su4 xing1 ye4 mei4] /to rise early and sleep late (成语 saw); to work hard/to study diligently/to burn the candle at both ends/

- 多吃多佔 多吃多占 [duo1 chi1 duo1 zhan4] /taking or eating more than one's due (成语 saw); greedy and selfish/

- 多愁善感 多愁善感 [duo1 chou2 shan4 gan3] /melancholy and moody (成语 saw); depressed personality/

- 多愁多病 多愁多病 [duo1 chou2 duo1 bing4] /much sorrows and illness (成语 saw); melancholy and weakly/

- 多此一舉 多此一举 [duo1 ci3 yi1 ju3] /to do more than is required (成语 saw); superfluous/guilding the lily/

- 多錢善賈 多钱善贾 [duo1 qian2 shan4 gu3] /much capital, good business (成语 saw); fig. good trading conditions/

- 多難興邦 多难兴邦 [duo1 nan4 xing1 bang1] /much hardships may awaken a nation (成语 saw); calamity that prompts renewal/

- 夜不閉戶 夜不闭户 [ye4 bu4 bi4 hu4] /lit. doors not locked at night (成语 saw); fig. stable society/

- 夜以繼日 夜以继日 [ye4 yi3 ji4 ri4] /night and day (成语 saw); continuous strenuous effort/

- 夢幻泡影 梦幻泡影 [meng4 huan4 pao4 ying3] /lit. dreams and visions in a bubble (成语 saw); fig. the illusory nature of the world in Buddhism/illusions/

- 夤緣攀附 夤缘攀附 [yin2 yuan2 pan1 fu4] /to cling to the rich and powerful (成语 saw); to advance one's career by currying favor/social climbing/

- 大公無私 大公无私 [da4 gong1 wu2 si1] /the common good above everything without no regard for personal interests (成语 saw); to behave altruistically/impartial and selfless/just and fair/

- 大勇若怯 大勇若怯 [da4 yong3 ruo4 qie4] /a great hero may appear timid (成语 saw); the really brave person remains level-headed/

- 大勇若怯，大智若愚 大勇若怯，大智若愚 [da4 yong3 ruo4 qie4 , da4 zhi4 ruo4 yu2] /a great hero may appear timid, the wise may appear stupid (成语 saw); the general public may not recognize great talent/

- 大吃一驚 大吃一惊 [da4 chi1 yi4 jing1] /to have a surprise (成语 saw); shocked or startled/gobsmacked/

- 大吉大利 大吉大利 [da4 ji2 da4 li4] /great luck, great profit (成语 saw); everything is thriving/

- 大吵大鬧 大吵大闹 [da4 chao3 da4 nao4] /to shout and scream (成语 saw); to kick up a fuss/to make a scene/

- 大喊大叫 大喊大叫 [da4 han3 da4 jiao4] /shouting and screaming (成语 saw); to scream loudly/to rant/to kick up a racket/to conduct vigorous propaganda/

- 大喜過望 大喜过望 [da4 xi3 guo4 wang4] /overjoyed at unexpected good news (成语 saw)/

- 大器晚成 大器晚成 [da4 qi4 wan3 cheng2] /lit. it takes a long time to make a big pot (成语 saw); fig. a great talent matures slowly/in the fullness of time a major figure will develop into a pillar of the state/Rome wasn't built in a day/

- 大塊朵頤 大块朵颐 [da4 kuai4 duo3 yi2] /to chew on a large slab (成语 saw); a large mouthful is hard to chew/to tuck into a great meal/

- 大廈將傾 大厦将倾 [da4 sha4 jiang1 qing1] /great mansion on the verge of collapse (成语 saw); hopeless situation/

- 大張聲勢 大张声势 [da4 zhang1 sheng1 shi4] /to spread one's voice wide (成语 saw); wide publicity/

- 大手大腳 大手大脚 [da4 shou3 da4 jiao3] /extravagant (成语 saw); to throw away money by the handful/wasteful/

- 大放光明 大放光明 [da4 fang4 guang1 ming2] /great release of light (成语 saw)/

- 大放厥辭 大放厥辞 [da4 fang4 jue2 ci2] /great release of talk (成语 saw); to spout nonsense/

- 大敵當前 大敌当前 [da4 di2 dang1 qian2] /facing a powerful enemy (成语 saw); fig. confronting grave difficulties/Enemy at the Gates, 1991 movie by Jean-Jacques Annaud/

- 大智如愚 大智如愚 [da4 zhi4 ru2 yu2] /the wise may appear stupid (成语 saw); a genius not appreciated in his own time/

- 大智若愚 大智若愚 [da4 zhi4 ruo4 yu2] /the wise may appear stupid (成语 saw); a genius not appreciated in his own time/

- 大有可為 大有可为 [da4 you3 ke3 wei2] /with great prospects for the future (成语 saw); well worth doing/

- 大有裨益 大有裨益 [da4 you3 bi4 yi4] /bringing great benefits (成语 saw); very useful/of great service/to help greatly/to serve one well/

- 大海撈針 大海捞针 [da4 hai3 lao1 zhen1] /to fish a needle from the sea (成语 saw); a needle in a haystack/

- 大獲全勝 大获全胜 [da4 huo4 quan2 sheng4] /to seize total victory (成语 saw); an overwhelming victory/to win by a landslide (in election)/

- 大義凜然 大义凛然 [da4 yi4 lin3 ran2] /devotion to righteousness that inspires reverence (成语 saw)/

- 大義滅親 大义灭亲 [da4 yi4 mie4 qin1] /to place righteousness before family (成语 saw); ready to punish one's own family if justice demands it/

- 大聲疾呼 大声疾呼 [da4 sheng1 ji2 hu1] /to call loudly (成语 saw); to get people's attention/to make one's views known/

- 大處著眼 大处着眼 [da4 chu4 zhuo2 yan3] /View the big picture while handling the details (成语 saw)./

- 大處著眼，小處著手 大处着眼，小处着手 [da4 chu4 zhuo2 yan3 , xiao3 chu4 zhuo2 shou3] /View the big picture while handling the details (成语 saw)./

- 大街小巷 大街小巷 [da4 jie1 xiao3 xiang4] /great streets and small alleys (成语 saw); everywhere in the city/

- 大顯身手 大显身手 [da4 xian3 shen1 shou3] /(成语 saw) fully displaying one's capabilities/

- 天下興亡，匹夫有責 天下兴亡，匹夫有责 [tian1 xia4 xing1 wang2 , pi3 fu1 you3 ze2] /The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone (成语 saw). Everyone bears responsibility for the prosperity of society./

- 天低吳楚，眼空無物 天低吴楚，眼空无物 [tian1 di1 Wu2 Chu3 , yan3 kong1 wu2 wu4] /the sky hangs low over the Yangtze, empty as far as the eye can see (成语 saw); nothing to see to the broad horizon/

- 天倫之樂 天伦之乐 [tian1 lun2 zhi1 le4] /pleasure of heavenly agreement (成语 saw); family love and joy/domestic bliss/

- 天公地道地道 天公地道地道 [tian1 gong1 di4 dao4 di4 dao4] /absolutely fair and reasonable (成语 saw); equitable/

- 天壤之別 天壤之别 [tian1 rang3 zhi1 bie2] /lit. night and day difference (成语 saw)/as different as sky and earth/opposite extremes/a world of difference (between them)/a far cry from/

- 天妒英才 天妒英才 [tian1 du4 ying1 cai2] /heaven is jealous of heroic genius (成语 saw); the great have great hardship to contend with/those whom the Gods love die young/

- 天寒地凍 天寒地冻 [tian1 han2 di4 dong4] /cold weather, frozen ground (成语 saw); bitterly cold/

- 天崩地裂 天崩地裂 [tian1 beng1 di4 lie4] /heaven falls and earth rends (成语 saw); rocked by a major disaster/fig. violent revolution/major social upheaval/

- 天旋地轉 天旋地转 [tian1 xuan2 di4 zhuan4] /the sky spins, the earth goes round (成语 saw); giddy with one's head spinning/fig. huge changes in the world/

- 天時地利人和 天时地利人和 [tian1 shi2 di4 li4 ren2 he2] /the time is right, geographical and social conditions are favorable (成语 saw); a good time to go to war/

- 天有不測風雲 天有不测风云 [tian1 you3 bu4 ce4 feng1 yun2] /fortune as unpredictable as the weather (成语 saw); sth unexpected may happen at any moment/

- 天有不測風雲，人有旦夕禍福 天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福 [tian1 you3 bu4 ce4 feng1 yun2 , ren2 you3 dan4 xi1 huo4 fu2] /fortune as unpredictable as the weather, every day may bring fortune or calamity (成语 saw); sth unexpected may happen at any moment/

- 天涯比鄰 天涯比邻 [tian1 ya2 bi3 lin2] /far-flung realms as next door (成语 saw); close in spirit although far away/absence makes the heart grow fonder/

- 天涯若比鄰 天涯若比邻 [tian1 ya2 ruo4 bi3 lin2] /far-flung realms as next door (成语 saw); close in spirit although far away/absence makes the heart grow fonder/

- 天災人禍 天灾人祸 [tian1 zai1 ren2 huo4] /natural and man-made disasters (成语 saw); natural calamities (flood, drought, earthquake) added to human calamity (fire, famine, war, Microsoft software)/

- 天無絕人之路 天无绝人之路 [tian1 wu2 jue2 ren2 zhi1 lu4] /Heaven never bars one's way (成语 saw); don't despair and you will find a way through./Never give up hope./Never say die./

- 天經地義 天经地义 [tian1 jing1 di4 yi4] /lit. heaven's law and earth's principle (成语 saw); fig. right and proper/right and unalterable/a matter of course/

- 天翻地覆 天翻地覆 [tian1 fan1 di4 fu4] /sky and the earth turning upside down (成语 saw); fig. complete confusion/everything turned on its head/

- 天香國色 天香国色 [tian1 xiang1 guo2 se4] /divine fragrance, national grace (成语 saw); an outstanding beauty/

- 太平盛世 太平盛世 [tai4 ping2 sheng4 shi4] /peace and prosperity (成语 saw)/

- 失之東隅，收之桑榆 失之东隅，收之桑榆 [shi1 zhi1 dong1 yu2 , shou1 zhi1 sang1 yu2] /to lose at sunrise but gain at sunset (成语 saw); to compensate later for one's earlier loss/what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts/

- 失之毫厘，謬以千里 失之毫厘，谬以千里 [shi1 zhi1 hao2 li2 , miu4 yi3 qian1 li3] /a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (成语 saw); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses/

- 失之毫釐，差之千里 失之毫厘，差之千里 [shi1 zhi1 hao2 li2 , cha4 zhi1 qian1 li3] /a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (成语 saw); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses/

- 失之毫釐，差以千里 失之毫厘，差以千里 [shi1 zhi1 hao2 li2 , cha4 yi3 qian1 li3] /a tiny lapse can lead to a huge mistake (成语 saw); a minor discrepancy leading to enormous losses/

- 失魂落魄 失魂落魄 [shi1 hun2 luo4 po4] /lit. lost soul, dropped spirit (成语 saw); driven to distraction/scared out of one's wits/

- 奇形怪狀 奇形怪状 [qi2 xing2 guai4 zhuang4] /fantastic oddities of every description (成语 saw); grotesquely shaped/

- 奇恥大辱 奇耻大辱 [qi2 chi3 da4 ru3] /extraordinary shame and humiliation (成语 saw)/

- 奇文共賞 奇文共赏 [qi2 wen2 gong4 shang3] /lit. remarkable work appreciated by all (成语 saw); universally praised (original meaning)/incomprehensible nonsense/preposterous bullshit/

- 奇珍異寶 奇珍异宝 [qi2 zhen1 yi4 bao3] /rare treasure (成语 saw)/

- 奉公剋己 奉公克己 [feng4 gong1 ke4 ji3] /self-restraint and devotion to public duties (成语 saw); selfless dedication/to serve the public interest wholeheartedly/

- 奉若神明 奉若神明 [feng4 ruo4 shen2 ming2] /to honor sb as a God (成语 saw); to revere/to worship/to deify/to make a holy cow of sth/to put sb on a pedestal/

- 奮不顧身 奋不顾身 [fen4 bu4 gu4 shen1] /to dash on bravely with no thought of personal safety (成语 saw); undaunted by dangers/regardless of perils/

- 奴顏婢膝 奴颜婢膝 [nu2 yan2 bi4 xi1] /servile and bending the knee (成语 saw); fawning/bending and scraping to curry favor/

- 奸官污吏 奸官污吏 [jian1 guan1 wu1 li4] /traitor minister and corrupt official (成语 saw); abuse and corruption/

- 好吃懶做 好吃懒做 [hao4 chi1 lan3 zuo4] /lit. eats a lot but never works (成语 saw); fig. a parasite/

- 好夢難成 好梦难成 [hao3 meng4 nan2 cheng2] /a beautiful dream is hard to realize (成语 saw)/

- 好奇尚異 好奇尚异 [hao4 qi2 shang4 yi4] /liking what odd, interested in what is different (成语 saw); curious about the exotic/inquisitive/

- 好酒貪杯 好酒贪杯 [hao3 jiu3 tan1 bei1] /good wine taken in excess (成语 saw); fond of the bottle/

- 如墮煙霧 如堕烟雾 [ru2 duo4 yan1 wu4] /as if degenerating into smoke (成语 saw); ignorant and unable to see where things are heading/

- 如火如茶 如火如茶 [ru2 huo3 ru2 cha2] /common erroneous version of 如火如荼 (tu2) (成语 saw), daunting and vigorous (momentum)/magnificent/

- 如火如荼 如火如荼 [ru2 huo3 ru2 tu2] /lit. white cogon flower like fire (成语 saw); fig. a mighty army like wildfire/daunting and vigorous (momentum)/flourishing/magnificent/

- 如蟻附膻 如蚁附膻 [ru2 yi3 fu4 shan1] /like ants pursuing a stink (成语 saw); the mob chases the rich and powerful/the crowd runs after trash/

- 如蠅逐臭 如蝇逐臭 [ru2 ying2 zhu2 chou4] /like flies pursuing a stink (成语 saw); the mob chases the rich and powerful/the crowd runs after trash/

- 如醉如癡 如醉如痴 [ru2 zui4 ru2 chi1] /lit. as if drunk and stupefied (成语 saw); intoxicated by sth/obsessed with/mad about sth/

- 如魚得水 如鱼得水 [ru2 yu2 de2 shui3] /like a fish back in water (成语 saw); glad to be back in one's proper surroundings/

- 妄下雌黃 妄下雌黄 [wang4 xia4 ci2 huang2] /to alter a text indiscriminately (成语 saw)/to make irresponsible criticism/

- 妄生穿鑿 妄生穿凿 [wang4 sheng1 chuan1 zao2] /a forced analogy (成语 saw); to jump to an unwarranted conclusion/

- 妄自尊大 妄自尊大 [wang4 zi4 zun1 da4] /ridiculous self-importance (成语 saw); arrogance/

- 妄自菲薄 妄自菲薄 [wang4 zi4 fei1 bo2] /to be unduly humble (成语 saw); to undervalue oneself/false modesty/

- 妄言妄聽 妄言妄听 [wang4 yan2 wang4 ting1] /unwarranted talk the listener can take or leave (成语 saw); sth not to be taken too seriously/

- 妒能害賢 妒能害贤 [du4 neng2 hai4 xian2] /jealous of the able, envious of the clever (成语 saw)/

- 妙手回春 妙手回春 [miao4 shou3 hui2 chun1] /magical hands bring the dying back to life (成语 saw); miracle cure/brilliant doctor/

- 始作俑者 始作俑者 [shi3 zuo4 yong3 zhe3] /lit. the first person to bury funerary dolls (成语 saw); fig. the originator of an evil practice (refers to Mencius 孟子)/

- 始終如一 始终如一 [shi3 zhong1 ru2 yi1] /unswerving from start to finish (成语 saw)/

- 姑息養奸 姑息养奸 [gu1 xi1 yang3 jian1] /to tolerate is to nurture an evildoer (成语 saw); spare the rod and spoil the child/

- 婦姑勃谿 妇姑勃溪 [fu4 gu1 bo2 xi1] /dispute among womenfolk (成语 saw); family squabbles/

- 婦孺皆知 妇孺皆知 [fu4 ru2 jie1 zhi1] /understood by everyone (成语 saw); well known/a household name/

- 嫁禍於人 嫁祸于人 [jia4 huo4 yu2 ren2] /to pass the misfortune on to sb else (成语 saw); to blame others/to pass the buck/

- 嫁雞隨雞 嫁鸡随鸡 [jia4 ji1 sui2 ji1] /If you marry a chicken, follow the chicken (成语 saw); A woman should follow whatever her husband orders./We must learn to accept the people around us./

- 嬉皮笑臉 嬉皮笑脸 [xi1 pi2 xiao4 lian3] /happy and giggling (成语 saw); frivolous/

- 子孝父慈 子孝父慈 [zi3 xiao4 fu4 ci2] /filial son, benevolent father (成语 saw); natural love between parents and children/

- 字字珠玉 字字珠玉 [zi4 zi4 zhu1 yu4] /every word a gem (成语 saw); magnificent writing/

- 字裡行間 字里行间 [zi4 li3 hang2 jian1] /between the words and the lines (成语 saw); implied meaning/connotations/

- 孜孜不倦 孜孜不倦 [zi1 zi1 bu4 juan4] /lit. diligent and never slacking (成语 saw); continuous concentrated effort/assiduous (in study)/to concentrate/

- 孜孜以求 孜孜以求 [zi1 zi1 yi3 qiu2] /diligent and tireless (成语 saw)/

- 孤芳自賞 孤芳自赏 [gu1 fang1 zi4 shang3] /lone flower admiring itself (成语 saw); narcissism/self-love/

- 孤苦零丁 孤苦零丁 [gu1 ku3 ling2 ding1] /solitary and impoverished (成语 saw)/

- 學海汎舟 学海泛舟 [xue2 hai3 fan4 zhou1] /sailing on the sea of learning (成语 saw); ars longa, vita brevis/

- 學海無涯 学海无涯 [xue2 hai3 wu2 ya2] /sea of learning, no horizon (成语 saw); no limits to what one still has to learn/ars longa, vita brevis/

- 學無止境 学无止境 [xue2 wu2 zhi3 jing4] /no end to learning (成语 saw); There's always something new to study./You live and learn./

- 守口如瓶 守口如瓶 [shou3 kou3 ru2 ping2] /lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle (成语 saw); tight-lipped/reticent/not breathing a word/

- 守土有責 守土有责 [shou3 tu3 you3 ze2] /duty to defend the country (成语 saw)/

- 守株待兔 守株待兔 [shou3 zhu1 dai4 tu4] /lit. to guard a tree-stump waiting for rabbits (成语 saw); to wait idly for opportunities/to trust to chance rather than show initiative/

- 守株待兔，緣木求魚 守株待兔，缘木求鱼 [shou3 zhu1 dai4 tu4 , yuan2 mu4 qiu2 yu2] /to guard a tree-stump waiting for rabbits and climb a tree to catch fish (成语 saw); without any practical course of action/

- 守株緣木 守株缘木 [shou3 zhu1 yuan2 mu4] /to guard a tree-stump waiting for rabbits and climb a tree to catch fish (成语 saw); without any practical course of action/abbr. of 守株待兔,緣木求魚|守株待兔,缘木求鱼/

- 安分守己 安分守己 [an1 fen4 shou3 ji3] /to abide by the law and behave oneself (成语 saw); to know one's place/

- 安如磐石 安如磐石 [an1 ru2 pan2 shi2] /as solid as rock (成语 saw); as sure as houses/

- 安家立業 安家立业 [an1 jia1 li4 ye4] /stable household, established profession (成语 saw); settled and comfortably off/

- 安富恤窮 安富恤穷 [an1 fu4 xu4 qiong2] /to give sympathy to the rich and relief to the poor (成语 saw)/

- 安富恤貧 安富恤贫 [an1 fu4 xu4 pin2] /to give sympathy to the rich and relief to the poor (成语 saw)/

- 安居樂業 安居乐业 [an1 ju1 le4 ye4] /live in peace and work happily (成语 saw)/

- 安閑自在 安闲自在 [an1 xian2 zi4 zai5] /leisurely and free (成语 saw); carefree and at ease/

- 安閑自得 安闲自得 [an1 xian2 zi4 de2] /feeling comfortably at ease (成语 saw)/

- 安閑舒適 安闲舒适 [an1 xian2 shu1 shi4] /leisurely and free (成语 saw); carefree and at ease/

- 安閑隨意 安闲随意 [an1 xian2 sui2 yi4] /leisurely and free (成语 saw); carefree and at ease/

- 完事大吉 完事大吉 [wan2 shi4 da4 ji2] /everything is finished (成语 saw); And there you are!/

- 完璧歸趙 完璧归赵 [wan2 bi4 gui1 zhao4] /lit. to return the jade annulus to Zhao (成语 saw); fig. to return something intact to its rightful owner/

- 官報私仇 官报私仇 [guan1 bao4 si1 chou2] /to take advantage of official post for personal revenge (成语 saw)/

- 官官相護 官官相护 [guan1 guan1 xiang1 hu4] /officials shield one another (成语 saw); a cover-up/

- 官逼民反 官逼民反 [guan1 bi1 min2 fan3] /a government official drives the people to revolt (成语 saw); a minister provokes a rebellion by exploiting the people/

- 官運亨通 官运亨通 [guan1 yun4 heng1 tong1] /(of a political career) everything is going smoothly (成语 saw)/

- 害群之馬 害群之马 [hai4 qun2 zhi1 ma3] /lit. the black horse of the herd (成语 saw)/fig. trouble-maker/the black sheep of the family/

- 家喻戶曉 家喻户晓 [jia1 yu4 hu4 xiao3] /understood by everyone (成语 saw); well known/a household name/

- 家破人亡 家破人亡 [jia1 po4 ren2 wang2] /family bankrupt and the people dead (成语 saw); ruined and orphaned/destitute and homeless/

- 家累千金，坐不垂堂 家累千金，坐不垂堂 [jia1 lei3 qian1 jin1 , zuo4 bu4 chui2 tang2] /rich person does not sit under the eaves (成语 saw); prudent not to place oneself in danger/

- 家給人足 家给人足 [jia1 ji3 ren2 zu2] /lit. each household provided for, enough for the individual (成语 saw); comfortably off/

- 家貧如洗 家贫如洗 [jia1 pin2 ru2 xi3] /extreme poverty (成语 saw); destitute/penniless/poor as church mice/

- 容光煥發 容光焕发 [rong2 guang1 huan4 fa1] /face glowing (成语 saw); looking radiant/all smiles/

- 寄人籬下 寄人篱下 [ji4 ren2 li2 xia4] /to lodge under another person's roof (成语 saw); to live relying on sb else's charity/

- 富國強兵 富国强兵 [fu4 guo2 qiang2 bing1] /lit. rich country, strong army (成语 saw); slogan of legalist philosophers in pre-Han times/Make the country wealthy and the military powerful, slogan of modernizers in Qing China and Meiji Japan (Japanese pronunciation: Fukoku kyōhei)/

- 富麗堂皇 富丽堂皇 [fu4 li4 tang2 huang2] /sumptuous mansions (成语 saw); splendorous and majestic/

- 寓意深遠 寓意深远 [yu4 yi4 shen1 yuan3] /the implied message is deep (成语 saw); having deep implications/

- 寓意深長 寓意深长 [yu4 yi4 shen1 chang2] /to have profound import (成语 saw); to be deeply significant/

- 察微知著 察微知著 [cha2 wei1 zhi1 zhu4] /examine tiny clues to know general trend (成语 saw); deduce the whole story from small traces/

- 寢苫枕塊 寝苫枕块 [qin3 shan1 zhen3 kuai4] /bed of straw and pillow of clay (成语 saw); the correct etiquette for filial son during Confucian mourning period/

- 寥寥可數 寥寥可数 [liao2 liao2 ke3 shu3] /just a very few (成语 saw); tiny number/just a handful/not many at all/You count them on your fingers./

- 寥寥無幾 寥寥无几 [liao2 liao2 wu2 ji3] /just a very few (成语 saw); tiny number/not many at all/You count them on your fingers./

- 實事求是 实事求是 [shi2 shi4 qiu2 shi4] /to seek truth from facts (成语 saw); to be practical and realistic/

- 寧死不屈 宁死不屈 [ning4 si3 bu4 qu1] /rather die than submit (成语 saw)/

- 寧缺毋濫 宁缺毋滥 [ning4 que1 wu2 lan4] /better to have nothing (than substandard choice) (成语 saw); would prefer to go without than accept shoddy option/

- 寧靜致遠 宁静致远 [ning2 jing4 zhi4 yuan3] /tranquility yields transcendence (成语 saw); quiet life of profound study/cf Still waters run deep./

- 寬大為懷 宽大为怀 [kuan1 da4 wei2 huai2] /magnanimous (成语 saw)/generous/

- 寬宏大量 宽宏大量 [kuan1 hong2 da4 liang4] /magnanimous (成语 saw); generous/

- 寬打窄用 宽打窄用 [kuan1 da3 zhai3 yong4] /to give oneself leeway (成语 saw)/to allow room for error/

- 寶刀未老 宝刀未老 [bao3 dao1 wei4 lao3] /treasure knife does not age (成语 saw); old but still vigorous/

- 寶馬香車 宝马香车 [bao3 ma3 xiang1 che1] /precious horses and magnificent carriage (成语 saw); rich family with extravagant lifestyle/ostentatious display of luxury/

- 將錯就錯 将错就错 [jiang1 cuo4 jiu4 cuo4] /lit. if it's wrong, it's wrong (成语 saw); to make the best after a mistake/to accept an error and adapt to it/to muddle through/

- 尋根問底 寻根问底 [xun2 gen1 wen4 di3] /lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (成语 saw); to get to the bottom of sth/

- 尋歡作樂 寻欢作乐 [xun2 huan1 zuo4 le4] /pleasure seeking (成语 saw); life of dissipation/

- 對牛彈琴 对牛弹琴 [dui4 niu2 tan2 qin2] /to play the lute to a cow (成语 saw); fig. offering a treat to a unappreciative audience/to cast pearls before swine/caviar to the general/to preach to deaf ears/to talk over sb's head/

- 對症下藥 对症下药 [dui4 zheng4 xia4 yao4] /lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (成语 saw); 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 [dui4 zheng4 fa1 yao4] /lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (成语 saw); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it/to take appropriate steps/

- 對答如流 对答如流 [dui4 da2 ru2 liu2] /able to reply quickly and fluently (成语 saw); having a ready answer/

- 對簿公堂 对簿公堂 [dui4 bu4 gong1 tang2] /public courtroom accusation (成语 saw); legal confrontation/to take sb to court/to sue/

- 對酒當歌 对酒当歌 [dui4 jiu3 dang1 ge1] /lit. sing to accompany wine (成语 saw); fig. life is short, make merry while you can/

- 小心翼翼 小心翼翼 [xiao3 xin1 yi4 yi4] /cautious and solemn (成语 saw); very carefully/prudent/gently and cautiously/

- 小心謹慎 小心谨慎 [xiao3 xin1 jin3 shen4] /cautious and timid (成语 saw); prudent/careful/

- 小懲大誡 小惩大诫 [xiao3 cheng2 da4 jie4] /lit. to punish a little to prevent a lot (成语 saw); to criticize former mistakes firmly to prevent large scale repetition/

- 小肚雞腸 小肚鸡肠 [xiao3 du4 ji1 chang2] /lit. small belly, chicken's gut (成语 saw); narrow-minded/petty/

- 小題大做 小题大做 [xiao3 ti2 da4 zuo4] /to make a big fuss over a minor issue (成语 saw)/

- 少成多 少成多 [shao3 cheng2 duo1] /Many little things add up to sth great (成语 saw); many a mickle makes a muckle/

- 就地正法 就地正法 [jiu4 di4 zheng4 fa3] /to execute on the spot (成语 saw); summary execution/to carry out the law on the spot/

- 尾大不掉 尾大不掉 [wei3 da4 bu4 diao4] /large tail obstructs action (成语 saw); bottom heavy/fig. rendered ineffective by subordinates/

- 屁滾尿流 屁滚尿流 [pi4 gun3 niao4 liu2] /to piss in one's pants in terror (成语 saw); scared witless/

- 居功自傲 居功自傲 [ju1 gong1 zi4 ao4] /satisfied with one's accomplishment and arrogant as a result (成语 saw); resting on one's laurels and despising others/

- 居安思危 居安思危 [ju1 an1 si1 wei1] /vigilance in peace time (成语 saw); while living in peace, make provisions for war/

- 居心不良 居心不良 [ju1 xin1 bu4 liang2] /with treacherous intent (成语 saw); two-faced/malicious and duplicitous/

- 居心叵測 居心叵测 [ju1 xin1 po3 ce4] /with treacherous intent (成语 saw); two-faced/malicious and duplicitous/

- 居心險惡 居心险恶 [ju1 xin1 xian3 e4] /with treacherous intent (成语 saw); intentional malice/

- 居高臨下 居高临下 [ju1 gao1 lin2 xia4] /to live high and look down (成语 saw); occupying the high ground/fig. arrogance based on one's social position/

- 屈指可數 屈指可数 [qu1 zhi3 ke3 shu3] /You count them on your fingers (成语 saw). tiny number/just a very few/just a handful/not many at all/

- 展翅高飛 展翅高飞 [zhan3 chi4 gao1 fei1] /spread your wings and soar (成语 saw); to develop one's abilities freely/

- 屢禁不止 屡禁不止 [lu:3 jin4 bu4 zhi3] /to continue despite repeated prohibition (成语 saw)/

- 屢禁不絕 屡禁不绝 [lu:3 jin4 bu4 jue2] /to continue despite repeated prohibition (成语 saw)/

- 層出不窮 层出不穷 [ceng2 chu1 bu4 qiong2] /more and more emerge (成语 saw); innumerable succession/breeding like flies/

- 層巒疊嶂 层峦叠嶂 [ceng2 luan2 die2 zhang4] /range upon range of mountains (成语 saw)/

- 履舄交錯 履舄交错 [lu:3 xi4 jiao1 cuo4] /lit. shoes and slippers muddled together (成语 saw); fig. many guests come and go/a lively party/

- 山珍海錯 山珍海错 [shan1 zhen1 hai3 cuo4] /rarities from the mountain and the sea (成语 saw); fig. a sumptuous spread of food delicacies/

- 山窮水盡 山穷水尽 [shan1 qiong2 shui3 jin4] /mountain and river exhausted (成语 saw); at the end of the line/nowhere to go/

- 山高水長 山高水长 [shan1 gao1 shui3 chang2] /high as the mountain and long as the river (成语 saw); fig. noble and far-reaching/

- 山高海深 山高海深 [shan1 gao1 hai3 shen1] /high as the mountain and deep as the sea (成语 saw); fig. infinite bounty/

- 岌岌可危 岌岌可危 [ji2 ji2 ke3 wei1] /imminent danger (成语 saw); approaching a crisis/

- 峰回路轉 峰回路转 [feng1 hui2 lu4 zhuan3] /A mountain road twists and turns (成语 saw); In a complicated situation, you need a twisty approach./

- 崇洋媚外 崇洋媚外 [chong2 yang2 mei4 wai4] /to revere everything foreign and pander to overseas powers (成语 saw); blind worship of foreign goods and ideas/

- 崛地而起 崛地而起 [jue2 di4 er2 qi3] /lit. arising suddenly above the level ground (成语 saw); sudden emergence of prominent new feature/

- 嶄露頭角 崭露头角 [zhan3 lu4 tou2 jiao3] /to reveal outstanding talent (成语 saw); to stand out as conspicuously brilliant/

- 工慾善其事，必先利其器 工欲善其事，必先利其器 [gong1 yu4 shan4 qi2 shi4 , bi4 xian1 li4 qi2 qi4] /To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (成语 saw). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job/

- 左右兩難 左右两难 [zuo3 you4 liang3 nan2] /dilemma/quandary/Scylla and Charybdis/between the devil and the deep blue sea (成语 saw)/

- 左右逢源 左右逢源 [zuo3 you4 feng2 yuan2] /lit. to get water source from every side (成语 saw); slick operator who can derive benefit from any situation/

- 左思右想 左思右想 [zuo3 si1 you4 xiang3] /to turn over in one's mind (成语 saw); to think through from different angles/to ponder/

- 左顧右盼 左顾右盼 [zuo3 gu4 you4 pan4] /glancing to left and right (成语 saw); to look all around/

- 巧婦難為無米之炊 巧妇难为无米之炊 [qiao3 fu4 nan2 wei2 wu2 mi3 zhi1 chui1] /The cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice (成语 saw). You won't get anywhere without equipment./

- 巧立名目 巧立名目 [qiao3 li4 ming2 mu4] /to fabricate excuses (成语 saw)/to concoct various items (e.g. to pad an expense account)/

- 差之毫釐，失之千里 差之毫厘，失之千里 [cha1 zhi1 hao2 li2 , shi1 zhi1 qian1 li3] /the slightest difference leads to a huge loss (成语 saw)/a miss is as good as a mile/

- 差之毫釐，謬以千里 差之毫厘，谬以千里 [cha1 zhi1 hao2 li2 , miu4 yi3 qian1 li3] /the slightest difference leads to a huge error (成语 saw)/a miss is as good as a mile/

- 差強人意 差强人意 [cha1 qiang2 ren2 yi4] /(成语 saw) just passable/barely satisfactory/

- 巴三覽四 巴三览四 [ba1 san1 lan3 si4] /to talk about this and that (成语 saw); to ramble incoherently/

- 巴前算後 巴前算后 [ba1 qian2 suan4 hou4] /thinking and pondering (成语 saw); to turn sth over in one's mind/to consider repeatedly/

- 巴山夜雨 巴山夜雨 [Ba1 shan1 ye4 yu3] /rain on Mt Ba (成语 saw); lonely in a strange land/Evening Rain, 1980 movie about the Cultural revolution/

- 巴山蜀水 巴山蜀水 [Ba1 shan1 Shu3 shui3] /mountains and rivers of Sichuan (成语 saw)/

- 巴山越嶺 巴山越岭 [ba1 shan1 yue4 ling3] /to climb hills and pass over mountains (成语 saw); to cross mountain after mountain/good at climbing mountains/

- 巴頭探腦 巴头探脑 [ba1 tou2 tan4 nao3] /to poke one's head in and pry (成语 saw); to spy/nosy/

- 巴高望上 巴高望上 [ba1 gao1 wang4 shang4] /to wish for higher status (成语 saw); to curry favor in the hope of promotion/

- 平易近人 平易近人 [ping2 yi4 jin4 ren2] /amiable and approachable (成语 saw); easy-going/modest and unassuming/(of writing) plain and simple/easy to understand/

- 平時不燒香，臨時抱佛腳 平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚 [ping2 shi2 bu4 shao1 xiang1 , lin2 shi2 bao4 fo2 jiao3] /lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (成语 saw); 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)/

- 平淡無奇 平淡无奇 [ping2 dan4 wu2 qi2] /ordinary and mediocre (成语 saw); nothing to write home about/

- 年富力強 年富力强 [nian2 fu4 li4 qiang2] /young and vigorous (成语 saw)/

- 年老力衰 年老力衰 [nian2 lao3 li4 shuai1] /old and weak (成语 saw)/

- 年老體弱 年老体弱 [nian2 lao3 ti3 ruo4] /old and weak (成语 saw)/

- 年輕力壯 年轻力壮 [nian2 qing1 li4 zhuang4] /young and vigorous (成语 saw)/

- 幾次三番 几次三番 [ji3 ci4 san1 fan1] /lit. twice then three times (成语 saw); fig. repeatedly/over and over again/

- 度日如年 度日如年 [du4 ri4 ru2 nian2] /a day drags past like a year (成语 saw); time hangs heavy/time crawls when one is wretched/

- 康莊大道 康庄大道 [kang1 zhuang1 da4 dao4] /broad and open road (成语 saw); fig. brilliant future prospects/

- 廢寢忘食 废寝忘食 [fei4 qin3 wang4 shi2] /to neglect sleep and food (成语 saw); to skip one's sleep and meals/to be completely wrapped up in one's work/

- 廢寢忘餐 废寝忘餐 [fei4 qin3 wang4 can1] /to neglect sleep and food (成语 saw); to skip one's sleep and meals/to be completely wrapped up in one's work/

- 延頸企踵 延颈企踵 [yan2 jing3 qi3 zhong3] /to stand on tiptoe and crane one's neck (成语 saw); fig. to yearn for sth/

- 弄假成真 弄假成真 [nong4 jia3 cheng2 zhen1] /pretense that turns into reality (成语 saw); to play at make-believe, but accidentally make it true/

- 弄虛作假 弄虚作假 [nong4 xu1 zuo4 jia3] /to practice fraud (成语 saw); by trickery/

- 引吭高歌 引吭高歌 [yin3 hang2 gao1 ge1] /to draw one's throat and sing loudly (成语 saw)/

- 引狗入寨 引狗入寨 [yin3 gou3 ru4 zhai4] /to lead the wolf into the woodpile (成语 saw); to leave oneself open to attack/to act imprudently, asking for trouble/

- 引狼入室 引狼入室 [yin3 lang2 ru4 shi4] /to lead the wolf into the house (成语 saw); to leave oneself open to attack/to act imprudently, asking for trouble/

- 引鬼上門 引鬼上门 [yin3 gui3 shang4 men2] /to lead the devil to the door (成语 saw); to invite the attention of criminals/to leave oneself open to attack/

- 弦外之意 弦外之意 [xian2 wai4 zhi1 yi4] /variant of 弦外之音, overtone (成语 saw); meaning beyond the words/implied meaning/reading between the lines/

- 弦外之音 弦外之音 [xian2 wai4 zhi1 yin1] /overtone (成语 saw); meaning beyond the words/implied meaning/reading between the lines/

- 弦外之響 弦外之响 [xian2 wai4 zhi1 xiang3] /variant of 弦外之音, overtone (成语 saw); meaning beyond the words/implied meaning/reading between the lines/

- 弱不禁風 弱不禁风 [ruo4 bu4 jin1 feng1] /too weak to stand up to the wind (成语 saw); extremely delicate/fragile state of health/

- 弱肉強食 弱肉强食 [ruo4 rou4 qiang2 shi2] /lit. the weak are prey to the strong (成语 saw); fig. predatory behavior/the law of the jungle/

- 張三李四 张三李四 [Zhang1 san1 Li3 si4] /Zhang and Li (成语 saw); Zhang with tight trousers and Li with wide hat/Tom, Dick and Harry/

- 張口結舌 张口结舌 [zhang1 kou3 jie2 she2] /agape and tongue-tied (成语 saw); at a loss for words/gaping and speechless/

- 張家長，李家短 张家长，李家短 [Zhang1 jia1 zhang3 , li3 jia1 duan3] /lit. the Zhangs are better off than the Lis (成语 saw); to gossip about the neighbors/

- 張牙舞爪 张牙舞爪 [zhang1 ya2 wu3 zhao3] /to bare fangs and brandish claws (成语 saw); to make threatening gestures/

- 強詞奪理 强词夺理 [qiang3 ci2 duo2 li3] /powerful words devoid of sense (成语 saw); sophistry/loud rhetoric making up for fallacious argument/shoving false arguments down people's throats/to argue illogically/

- 強龍不壓地頭蛇 强龙不压地头蛇 [qiang2 long2 bu4 ya1 de5 tou2 she2] /lit. strong dragon cannot repress a snake (成语 saw); fig. a local gangster who is above the law/

- 彈冠相慶 弹冠相庆 [tan2 guan1 xiang1 qing4] /lit. to flick dust off sb's cap (成语 saw); to celebrate an official appointment/to congratulate and celebrate (promotion, graduation etc)/

- 彈指之間 弹指之间 [tan2 zhi3 zhi1 jian1] /a snap of the fingers (成语 saw); in an instant/in a short moment/in a flash/in the twinkling of an eye/

- 彈盡援絕 弹尽援绝 [dan4 jin4 yuan2 jue2] /out of ammunition and no hope of reinforcements (成语 saw); in desperate straits/

- 彈盡糧絕 弹尽粮绝 [dan4 jin4 liang2 jue2] /out of ammunition and no food left (成语 saw); in desperate straits/

- 彫楹碧檻 雕楹碧槛 [diao1 ying2 bi4 kan3] /carved pillar, jade doorsill (成语 saw); heavily decorated environment/

- 彰善瘅恶 彰善癉惡 [zhang1 shan4 dan4 e4] /to distinguish good and evil (成语 saw); to uphold virtue and condemn evil/to praise good and expose vice/

- 彼倡此和 彼倡此和 [bi3 chang4 ci3 he2] /to chorus sb else's lead (成语 saw); to chime in in agreement/

- 彼唱此和 彼唱此和 [bi3 chang4 ci3 he2] /to chorus sb else's lead (成语 saw); to chime in in agreement/

- 徇私枉法 徇私枉法 [xun4 si1 wang3 fa3] /to bend the law for one's own profit (成语 saw)/

- 徇私舞弊 徇私舞弊 [xun4 si1 wu3 bi4] /bribery and fraud (成语 saw)/

- 後來居上 后来居上 [hou4 lai2 ju1 shang4] /lit. late-comer lives above (成语 saw); the up-and-coming youngster outstrips the older generation/the pupil surpasses the master/

- 後患無窮 后患无穷 [hou4 huan4 wu2 qiong2] /it will cause no end of trouble (成语 saw); nip the problem in the bud/

- 後生可畏 后生可畏 [hou4 sheng1 ke3 wei4] /will be redoubtable in later life (成语 saw); a young person's abilities must be respected, though inexperienced/the younger generations will surpass us in time/

- 後車之鑒 后车之鉴 [hou4 che1 zhi1 jian4] /lit. warning to the following cart (成语 saw); don't follow the track of an overturned cart/fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor/learn from past mistake/once bitten twice shy/

- 徒有其名 徒有其名 [tu2 you3 qi2 ming2] /with an undeserved reputation (成语 saw); unwarranted fame/nowhere near as good as he's made out to be/

- 徒有虛名 徒有虚名 [tu2 you3 xu1 ming2] /with an undeserved reputation (成语 saw); unwarranted fame/nowhere near as good as he's made out to be/

- 得天獨厚 得天独厚 [de2 tian1 du2 hou4] /richly endowed by nature (成语 saw); in a particularly favored environment/

- 得寸進尺 得寸进尺 [de2 cun4 jin4 chi3] /lit. win an inch, want a foot (成语 saw); fig. not satisfied with small gains/give him an inch, and he'll want a mile/

- 得心應手 得心应手 [de2 xin1 ying4 shou3] /lit. what the heart wishes, the hand accomplishes (成语 saw) skilled at the job/entirely in one's element/going smoothly and easily/

- 得意揚揚 得意扬扬 [de2 yi4 yang2 yang2] /immeasurably pleased with oneself (成语 saw)/joyfully satisfied with oneself/proudly/an air of complacency/to crow over sth/variant of 得意洋洋|得意洋洋/

- 得而複失 得而复失 [de2 er2 fu4 shi1] /to have another try and fail once again (成语 saw)/

- 得過且過 得过且过 [de2 guo4 qie3 guo4] /satisfied just to get through (成语 saw); to muddle through/without high ambitions, but getting by/

- 得道多助 得道多助 [de2 dao4 duo1 zhu4] /a just cause enjoys abundant support (成语 saw); those upholding justice will find help all around/

- 得饒人處且饒人 得饶人处且饶人 [de2 rao2 ren2 chu4 qie3 rao2 ren2] /where it is possible to let people off, one should spare them (成语 saw); anyone can make mistakes, forgive them when possible/

- 從井救人 从井救人 [cong2 jing3 jiu4 ren2] /to jump into a well to rescue sb else (成语 saw); fig. to help others at the risk to oneself/

- 從善如流 从善如流 [cong2 shan4 ru2 liu2] /readily following good advice (成语 saw); willing to accept other people's views/

- 從諫如流 从谏如流 [cong2 jian4 ru2 liu2] /to follow admonition as natural flow (成语 saw); to accept criticism or correction (even from one's inferiors)/

- 從長計議 从长计议 [cong1 chang2 ji4 yi4] /to take one's time making a decision (成语 saw); to give it further thought decide later/

- 御駕親征 御驾亲征 [yu4 jia4 qin1 zheng1] /the emperor leads his troops into battle (成语 saw)/to take part personally in an expedition/

- 循序漸進 循序渐进 [xun2 xu4 jian4 jin4] /in sequence, step by step (成语 saw); to make steady progress incrementally/

- 循規蹈矩 循规蹈矩 [xun2 gui1 dao3 ju3] /to follow the compass and go with the set square (成语 saw); to follow the rules inflexibly/to act according to convention/

- 徵名責實 征名责实 [zheng1 ming2 ze2 shi2] /to seek out the real nature based on the name (成语 saw); to judge sth at face value/

- 德才兼備 德才兼备 [de2 cai2 jian1 bei4] /having both integrity and talent (成语 saw)/

- 德薄能鮮 德薄能鲜 [de2 bo2 neng2 xian3] /little virtue and meager abilities (成语 saw); I'm a humble person and not much use at anything (Song writer Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修)/

- 徹頭徹尾 彻头彻尾 [che4 tou2 che4 wei3] /lit. from head to tail (成语 saw); thoroughgoing/through and through/out and out/from top to bottom/

- 心亂如麻 心乱如麻 [xin1 luan4 ru2 ma2] /one's thoughts in a whirl (成语 saw); confused/disconcerted/upset/

- 心力交瘁 心力交瘁 [xin1 li4 jiao1 cui4] /worn out in body and soul (成语 saw)/

- 心口不一 心口不一 [xin1 kou3 bu4 yi1] /heart and mouth at variance (成语 saw); keeping one's real intentions to oneself/saying one thing but meaning sth different/

- 心口如一 心口如一 [xin1 kou3 ru2 yi1] /lit. heart and mouth as one (成语 saw); to say what you think/honest and straightforward/

- 心平氣和 心平气和 [xin1 ping2 qi4 he2] /tranquil and even-tempered (成语 saw); calmly and without stress/

- 心心相印 心心相印 [xin1 xin1 xiang1 yin4] /two hearts beat as one (成语 saw); a kindred spirit/

- 心懷叵測 心怀叵测 [xin1 huai2 po3 ce4] /concealing wicked intentions (成语 saw); malicious/to prod sly/

- 心曠神怡 心旷神怡 [xin1 kuang4 shen2 yi2] /lit. heart untroubled, spirit pleased (成语 saw); carefree and relaxed/

- 心有靈犀一點通 心有灵犀一点通 [xin1 you3 ling2 xi1 yi1 dian3 tong1] /hearts linked as one, just as the proverbial rhinoceros communicates emotion telepathically through his single horn (成语 saw); fig. two hearts beat as one/

- 心服口服 心服口服 [xin1 fu2 kou3 fu2] /lit. convinced in heart and by word (成语 saw); sincerely convinced and ready to concede/to convince/to get one's message across/

- 心煩意亂 心烦意乱 [xin1 fan2 yi4 luan4] /lit. heart distracted, thoughts in turmoil (成语 saw); distraught with anxiety/

- 心狠手辣 心狠手辣 [xin1 hen3 shou3 la4] /vicious and merciless (成语 saw)/

- 心猿意馬 心猿意马 [xin1 yuan2 yi4 ma3] /lit. heart a monkey, mind a horse (成语 saw); fig. capricious (derog.)/to have ants in one's pants/hyperactive/adventurous and uncontrollable/

- 心胸狹窄 心胸狭窄 [xin1 xiong1 xia2 zhai3] /narrow-minded (成语 saw); petty/ungenerous/

- 心腹之患 心腹之患 [xin1 fu4 zhi1 huan4] /lit. calamity within one's bosom (成语 saw); major trouble hidden within/

- 心領神會 心领神会 [xin1 ling3 shen2 hui4] /to understand the meaning behind sb's words (成语 saw); I appreciate your kindness/to know intuitively/to understand tacitly/to speak without words/

- 忍垢偷生 忍垢偷生 [ren3 gou4 tou1 sheng1] /to bear humiliation to save one's skin (成语 saw)/

- 忍氣吞聲 忍气吞声 [ren3 qi4 tun1 sheng1] /to submit to humiliation (成语 saw); to suffer in silence/to swallow one's anger/to grin and bear it/

- 忍無可忍 忍无可忍 [ren3 wu2 ke3 ren3] /more than one can bear (成语 saw); at the end of one's patience/the last straw/

- 忍辱偷生 忍辱偷生 [ren3 ru3 tou1 sheng1] /to bear humiliation to save one's skin (成语 saw)/

- 忍辱負重 忍辱负重 [ren3 ru3 fu4 zhong4] /to endure humiliation as part of an important mission (成语 saw); to suffer in silence/

- 志士仁人 志士仁人 [zhi4 shi4 ren2 ren2] /gentleman aspiring to benevolence (成语 saw); people with lofty ideals/

- 忘恩負義 忘恩负义 [wang4 en1 fu4 yi4] /to forget favors and violate justice (成语 saw); ingratitude to a friend/to kick a benefactor in the teeth/

- 忙中有失 忙中有失 [mang2 zhong1 you3 shi1] /Rushed work lead to slip-ups (成语 saw). Mistakes are likely at times of stress./

- 忙中有錯 忙中有错 [mang2 zhong1 you3 cuo4] /Rushed work lead to errors (成语 saw). Mistakes are likely at times of stress./

- 忠心耿耿 忠心耿耿 [zhong1 xin1 geng3 geng3] /loyal and devoted (成语 saw); faithful and true/

- 忠言逆耳 忠言逆耳 [zhong1 yan2 ni4 er3] /loyal advice jars on the ears (成语 saw)/

- 忠貞不渝 忠贞不渝 [zhong1 zhen1 bu4 yu2] /unswerving in one's loyalty (成语 saw); faithful and constant/

- 快刀斬亂麻 快刀斩乱麻 [kuai4 dao1 zhan3 luan4 ma2] /lit. quick sword cuts through tangled hemp (成语 saw); decisive action in a complex situation/cutting the Gordian knot/

- 快刀斷亂麻 快刀断乱麻 [kuai4 dao1 duan4 luan4 ma2] /lit. quick sword cuts through tangled hemp (成语 saw); decisive action in a complex situation/cutting the Gordian knot/

- 念念不忘 念念不忘 [nian4 nian4 bu4 wang4] /to keep in mind constantly (成语 saw)/

- 怒不可遏 怒不可遏 [nu4 bu4 ke3 e4] /unable to restrain one's anger (成语 saw); in a towering rage/

- 怒形於色 怒形于色 [nu4 xing2 yu2 se4] /to betray anger (成语 saw); fury written across one's face/

- 怒氣沖沖 怒气冲冲 [nu4 qi4 chong1 chong1] /spitting anger (成语 saw); in a rage/

- 怒髮衝冠 怒发冲冠 [nu4 fa1 chong1 guan1] /hair stands up in anger and tips off one's hat (成语 saw); seething in anger/rising hackles/

- 思前想後 思前想后 [si1 qian2 xiang3 hou4] /to consider past cause and future effect (成语 saw); to think over the past and future/to ponder over reasons and connection/

- 怡然自得 怡然自得 [yi2 ran2 zi3 de2] /happy and content (成语 saw)/

- 急人之難 急人之难 [ji2 ren2 zhi1 nan4] /anxious to help others resolve difficulties (成语 saw)/

- 急功近利 急功近利 [ji2 gong1 jin4 li4] /seeking instant benefit (成语 saw); shortsighted vision, looking only for fast return/

- 急如星火 急如星火 [ji2 ru2 xing1 huo3] /lit. as hurried as a shooting star (成语 saw); requiring immediate action/extremely urgent/

- 急於求成 急于求成 [ji2 yu2 qiu2 cheng2] /anxious for quick results (成语 saw); to demand instant success/impatient for result/impetuous/

- 急轉直下 急转直下 [ji2 zhuan3 zhi2 xia4] /to develop rapidly after abrupt turn (成语 saw); dramatic change/

- 怨天載道 怨天载道 [yuan4 tian1 zai4 dao4] /lit. cries of complaint fill the roads (成语 saw); complaints rise all around/discontent is openly voiced/

- 怨聲載道 怨声载道 [yuan4 sheng1 zai4 dao4] /lit. cries of complaint fill the roads (成语 saw); complaints rise all around/discontent is openly voiced/

- 怵目驚心 怵目惊心 [chu4 mu4 jing1 xin1] /lit. shocks the eye, astonishes the heart (成语 saw); shocking/horrible to see/a ghastly sight/also written 觸目驚心|触目惊心/

- 恨海難填 恨海难填 [hen4 hai3 nan2 tian2] /sea of hatred is hard to fill (成语 saw); irreconcilable division/

- 恭敬不如從命 恭敬不如从命 [gong1 jing4 bu4 ru2 cong1 ming4] /deference is no substitute for obedience (成语 saw); to follow sb's precepts is the sincerest form of respect/

- 息息相關 息息相关 [xi1 xi1 xiang1 guan1] /closely bound up (成语 saw); intimately related/

- 悍然不顧 悍然不顾 [han4 ran2 bu4 gu4] /outrageous and unconventional (成语 saw); flying in the face of (authority, convention, public opinion etc)/

- 悔過自新 悔过自新 [hui3 guo4 zi4 xin1] /to repent and start afresh (成语 saw); to turn over a new leaf/

- 悠哉遊哉 悠哉游哉 [you1 zai1 you2 zai1] /free and unconstrained (成语 saw); leisurely and carefree/

- 患難之交 患难之交 [huan4 nan4 zhi1 jiao1] /a friend in times of tribulations (成语 saw); a friend in need is a friend indeed/

- 悲不自勝 悲不自胜 [bei1 bu4 zi4 sheng4] /unable to control one's grief (成语 saw); overwrought/overcome with sorrow/heart-broken/

- 悲聲載道 悲声载道 [bei1 sheng1 zai4 dao4] /lamentations fill the roads (成语 saw); severe suffering all around/

- 情人眼裡出西施 情人眼里出西施 [qing2 ren2 yan3 li3 chu1 Xi1 Shi1] /In the eyes of the lover, a famous beauty (成语 saw). Beauty in the eye of the beholder/

- 情人眼裡有西施 情人眼里有西施 [qing2 ren2 yan3 li3 you3 Xi1 Shi1] /In the eyes of the lover, a famous beauty (成语 saw). Beauty in the eye of the beholder/

- 情同手足 情同手足 [qing2 tong2 shou3 zu2] /as close as one's hands and feet (成语 saw); loving one another as brothers/deep friendship/closely attached to one another/

- 情同骨肉 情同骨肉 [qing2 tong2 gu3 rou4] /as close as flesh and bones (成语 saw); deep friendship/

- 情急智生 情急智生 [qing2 ji2 zhi4 sheng1] /inspiration in a moment of desperation (成语 saw)/also written 情急之下/

- 情竇初開 情窦初开 [qing2 dou4 chu1 kai1] /love's aperture first opens (成语 saw); first awakening of love (usually of girl)/

- 情逾骨肉 情逾骨肉 [qing2 yu2 gu3 rou4] /as close as flesh and bones (成语 saw); deep friendship/

- 惡事傳千里 恶事传千里 [e4 shi4 chuan2 qian1 li3] /evil deeds spread a thousand miles (成语 saw); scandal spreads like wildfire/

- 惡叉白賴 恶叉白赖 [e4 cha1 bai2 lai4] /evil behavior (成语 saw); brazen villainy/

- 惡有惡報 恶有恶报 [e4 you3 e4 bao4] /evil has its retribution (成语 saw); to suffer the consequences of one's bad deeds/sow the wind and reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7)/

- 惡貫滿盈 恶贯满盈 [e4 guan4 man3 ying2] /lit. strung through and filled with evil (成语 saw); filled with extreme evil/replete with vice/guilty of monstrous crimes/

- 想入非非 想入非非 [xiang3 ru4 fei1 fei1] /to indulge in fantasy (成语 saw); to let one's imagination run wild/

- 想方設法 想方设法 [xiang3 fang1 she4 fa3] /to think up every possible method (成语 saw); to devise ways and means/to try this, that and the other/

- 惹火燒身 惹火烧身 [re3 huo3 shao1 shen1] /stir up the fire and you get burnt (成语 saw); to get one's fingers burnt/fig. to suffer on account of one's own meddling/

- 惹草拈花 惹草拈花 [re3 cao3 nian1 hua1] /to moisten the flower and beckon the leaves (成语 saw); to womanize/to frequent brothels/to sow one's wild oats/

- 惹草霑花 惹草沾花 [re3 cao3 zhan1 hua1] /to moisten the flower and beckon the leaves (成语 saw); to womanize/to frequent brothels/to sow one's wild oats/

- 愁眉苦臉 愁眉苦脸 [chou2 mei2 ku3 lian3] /frowning and worried (成语 saw); showing concern/

- 愁腸百結 愁肠百结 [chou2 chang2 bai3 jie2] /hundred knots of worry in one's intestines (成语 saw); weighed down with anxiety/

- 愚昧無知 愚昧无知 [yu2 mei4 wu2 zhi1] /stupid and ignorant (成语 saw)/

- 愛不忍釋 爱不忍释 [ai4 bu4 ren3 shi4] /to love sth too much to part with it (成语 saw)/

- 愛不釋手 爱不释手 [ai4 bu4 shi4 shou3] /to love sth too much to part with it (成语 saw); to fondle admiringly/

- 愛屋及烏 爱屋及乌 [ai4 wu1 ji2 wu1] /lit. love the house and its crow (成语 saw); involvement with sb and everyone connected/Love me, love my dog./

- 愛屋及鳥 爱屋及鸟 [ai4 wu1 ji2 niao3] /variant of 愛屋及烏|爱屋及乌/lit. love the house and its crow (成语 saw); involvement with sb and everyone connected/Love me, love my dog./

- 愛莫能助 爱莫能助 [ai4 mo4 neng2 zhu4] /unable to help however much one would like to (成语 saw); Although we sympathize, there is no way to help you./My hands are tied./

- 感同身受 感同身受 [gan3 tong2 shen1 shou4] /personal gratitude (成语 saw); to take something as a personal kindness/

- 感恩圖報 感恩图报 [gan3 en1 tu2 bao4] /grateful and seeking to repay the kindness (成语 saw)/

- 感情用事 感情用事 [gan3 qing2 yong4 shi4] /to act impetuously (成语 saw); on an impulse/

- 感激不盡 感激不尽 [gan3 ji1 bu4 jin4] /can't thank sb enough (成语 saw)/

- 感激涕零 感激涕零 [gan3 ji1 ti4 ling2] /to shed tears of gratitude (成语 saw); moved to tears/

- 愧悔無地 愧悔无地 [kui4 hui3 wu2 di4] /ashamed and unable to show one's face (成语 saw)/

- 慈悲為本 慈悲为本 [ci2 bei1 wei2 ben3] /mercy as the guiding principle (成语 saw); the Buddhist teaching that nothing is valid except compassion/

- 慈眉善目 慈眉善目 [ci2 mei2 shan4 mu4] /kind brows, pleasant eyes (成语 saw); amiable looking/benign-faced/

- 慈眉善眼 慈眉善眼 [ci2 mei2 shan4 yan3] /kind brows, pleasant eyes (成语 saw); amiable looking/benign-faced/

- 慕名而來 慕名而来 [mu4 ming2 er2 lai2] /to come to a place on account of its reputation (成语 saw); attracted to visit a famous location/

- 慘不忍睹 惨不忍睹 [can3 bu4 ren3 du3] /spectacle too horrible to endure (成语 saw); tragic sight/appalling scenes of devastation/

- 慘不忍聞 惨不忍闻 [can3 bu4 ren3 wen2] /too horrible to endure (成语 saw); tragic spectacle/appalling scenes of devastation/

- 慘淡經營 惨淡经营 [can3 dan4 jing1 ying2] /to manage by painstaking effort (成语 saw)/

- 慘無人道 惨无人道 [can3 wu2 ren2 dao4] /inhuman (成语 saw)/brutal and unfeeling/

- 慘絕人寰 惨绝人寰 [can3 jue2 ren2 huan2] /extremely tragic (成语 saw); with unprecedented brutality/

- 慢條斯理 慢条斯理 [man4 tiao2 si1 li3] /with calculated unhurried steps (成语 saw); slow and deliberate/methodical/

- 慷慨捐生 慷慨捐生 [kang1 kai3 juan1 sheng1] /sacrificing one's life generously (成语 saw); to sacrifice oneself fervently to the cause/

- 慷慨解囊 慷慨解囊 [kang1 kai3 jie3 nang2] /to contribute generously (成语 saw); help sb generously with money/to give generously to charity/

- 慷慨赴義 慷慨赴义 [kang1 kai3 fu4 yi4] /heroically sacrificing one's life (成语 saw); to sacrifice oneself fervently to the cause/

- 慾善其事，必先利其器 欲善其事，必先利其器 [yu4 shan4 qi2 shi4 , bi4 xian1 li4 qi2 qi4] /To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (成语 saw). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job/

- 慾壑難填 欲壑难填 [yu4 he4 nan2 tian2] /bottomless pit of desire (成语 saw); insatiable greed/carnal cravings are never satisfied and are a main obstruction on the path to enlightenment/

- 慾蓋彌彰 欲盖弥彰 [yu4 gai4 mi2 zhang1] /trying to hide it makes it more conspicuous (成语 saw); A cover up only makes matters worse./

- 憂心忡忡 忧心忡忡 [you1 xin1 chong1 chong1] /deeply worried and sick at heart (成语 saw)/

- 憑空捏造 凭空捏造 [ping2 kong1 nie1 zao4] /fabrication relying on nothing (成语 saw); frame-up/

- 應付自如 应付自如 [ying4 fu5 zi4 ru2] /to handle matters with ease (成语 saw); equal to the situation/

- 應付裕如 应付裕如 [ying4 fu5 yu4 ru2] /handling any occasion smoothly (成语 saw); equal to any situation/

- 應接不暇 应接不暇 [ying4 jie1 bu4 xia2] /no time to deal with so many things (成语 saw); to have one's hands full/

- 應有盡有 应有尽有 [ying1 you3 jin4 you3] /everything that should be here is here (成语 saw); all one can think of is on hand/to have all one needs/

- 應機立斷 应机立断 [ying4 ji1 li4 duan4] /to act on an opportunity (成语 saw); to take prompt advantage of a situation/

- 應運而生 应运而生 [ying4 yun4 er2 sheng1] /to emerge to meet a historic destiny (成语 saw); to arise at an opportune time/able to take advantage of an opportunity/to rise to the occasion/

- 懲前毖後 惩前毖后 [cheng2 qian2 bi4 hou4] /lit. to punish those before to prevent those after (成语 saw); to criticize former mistakes firmly to prevent them happening again/

- 懷才不遇 怀才不遇 [huai2 cai2 bu4 yu4] /to cherish one's unrecognized talents (成语 saw); to have talent but no opportunity/not living up to one's abilities/under-achieving/

- 懷璧其罪 怀璧其罪 [huai2 bi4 qi2 zui4] /lit. treasuring a jade ring becomes a crime (成语 saw); to get into trouble on account of a cherished item/fig. A person's talent will arouse the envy of others./

- 懸崖勒馬 悬崖勒马 [xuan2 ya2 le4 ma3] /lit. to rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice (成语 saw); fig. to act in the nick of time/

- 戎馬生涯 戎马生涯 [rong2 ma3 sheng1 ya2] /army life (成语 saw)/the experience of war/

- 成也蕭何，敗也蕭何 成也萧何，败也萧何 [cheng2 ye3 Xiao1 He2 , bai4 ye3 Xiao1 He2] /raised up by Xiao He, cast down by Xiao He (成语 saw); success or failure depends solely on one individual/

- 成千上萬 成千上万 [cheng2 qian1 shang4 wan4] /lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands (成语 saw); untold numbers/innumerable/thousands upon thousands/

- 成千成萬 成千成万 [cheng2 qian1 cheng2 wan4] /lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands (成语 saw); untold numbers/innumerable/thousands upon thousands/

- 成千累萬 成千累万 [cheng2 qian1 lei3 wan4] /lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands (成语 saw); untold numbers/innumerable/thousands upon thousands/

- 成敗利鈍 成败利钝 [cheng2 bai4 li4 dun4] /succeed or fail, sharp or blunt (成语 saw); advantages and disadvantages/success and failure/You win some, you lose some./

- 成群結隊 成群结队 [cheng2 qun2 jie2 dui4] /making up a group, forming a troupe (成语 saw); in large numbers/as a large crowd/

- 我行我素 我行我素 [wo3 xing2 wo3 su4] /to continue in one's own way (成语 saw); to ignore advice/to persist whatever others say/

- 戒驕戒躁 戒骄戒躁 [jie4 jiao1 jie4 zao4] /to guard against pride and impatience (成语 saw); to remain modest and keep cool/

- 戛然而止 戛然而止 [jia2 ran2 er2 zhi3] /with a grunting sound it stops (成语 saw); to come to an end spontaneously (esp. of sound)/

- 戮力同心 戮力同心 [lu4 li4 tong2 xin1] /concerted efforts in a common cause (成语 saw); united and working together/

- 戰火紛飛 战火纷飞 [zhan4 huo3 fen1 fei1] /fire of war everywhere (成语 saw); enveloped in the flames of war/

- 戰無不勝 战无不胜 [zhan4 wu2 bu4 sheng4] /to triumph in every battle (成语 saw); invincible/to succeed in every undertaking/

- 戰無不勝，攻無不克 战无不胜，攻无不克 [zhan4 wu2 bu4 sheng4 , gong1 wu2 bu4 ke4] /to triumph in every battle and win every fight (成语 saw); all-conquering/ever victorious/nothing they can't do/

- 戰無不勝，攻無不取 战无不胜，攻无不取 [zhan4 wu2 bu4 sheng4 , gong1 wu2 bu4 qu3] /to triumph in every battle and win every fight (成语 saw); all-conquering/ever victorious/nothing they can't do/

- 戶告人曉 户告人晓 [hu4 gao4 ren2 xiao3] /to make known to every household (成语 saw); to disseminate widely/to shout from the rooftops/

- 戶樞不蠹 户枢不蠹 [hu4 shu1 bu4 du4] /lit. a door hinge never rusts (成语 saw); constant activity prevents decay/

- 所向披靡 所向披靡 [suo3 xiang4 pi1 mi3] /to sweep everything before one (成语 saw); invincible troops/

- 所見所聞 所见所闻 [suo3 jian4 suo3 wen2] /what one hears and sees (成语 saw)/

- 手下留情 手下留情 [shou3 xia4 liu2 qing2] /lit. start off leniently (成语 saw); please do not be too strict with me/Do not judge me too harshly./Look favorably on my humble efforts./

- 手到拈來 手到拈来 [shou3 dao4 nian2 lai2] /stretch a hand and grab it (成语 saw); easy to do/

- 手到擒來 手到擒来 [shou3 dao4 qin2 lai2] /stretch a hand and grab it (成语 saw); very easy/

- 手無寸鐵 手无寸铁 [shou3 wu2 cun4 tie3] /lit. not an inch of steel (成语 saw); unarmed and defenseless/

- 手舞足蹈 手舞足蹈 [shou3 wu3 zu2 dao3] /hands dance and feet trip (成语 saw); dancing and gesticulating for joy/

- 手足無措 手足无措 [shou3 zu2 wu2 cuo4] /at a loss to know what to do (成语 saw); bewildered/

- 才兼文武 才兼文武 [cai2 jian1 wen2 wu3] /talent in both military and civil field (成语 saw)/

- 才子佳人 才子佳人 [cai2 zi3 jia1 ren2] /gifted scholar, beautiful lady (成语 saw); pair of ideal lovers/cf With his brains and her looks.../

- 才氣過人 才气过人 [cai2 qi4 guo4 ren2] /an outstanding talent (成语 saw)/surpassing insight and acumen/

- 才疏學淺 才疏学浅 [cai2 shu1 xue2 qian3] /(humble expr.) of humble talent and shallow learning (成语 saw); Pray forgive my ignorance,.../

- 才華出眾 才华出众 [cai2 hua2 chu1 zhong4] /outstanding talent (成语 saw); incomparable artistic merit/

- 才華蓋世 才华盖世 [cai2 hua2 gai4 shi4] /peerless talent (成语 saw); incomparable artistic merit/

- 才識過人 才识过人 [cai2 shi2 guo4 ren2] /an outstanding talent (成语 saw)/surpassing insight and acumen/

- 才貌雙全 才貌双全 [cai2 mao4 shuang1 quan2] /talented and good-looking (成语 saw)/

- 扒高踩低 扒高踩低 [pa2 gao1 cai3 di1] /crawl high, step low (成语 saw); unprincipled crawling, flattering one's superiors and trampling on one's juniors/toadying and bullying/

- 打家劫舍 打家劫舍 [da3 jia1 jie2 she4] /to break into a house for robbery (成语 saw)/

- 打富濟貧 打富济贫 [da3 fu4 ji4 pin2] /to rob the rich to help the poor (成语 saw)/

- 打小算盤 打小算盘 [da3 xiao3 suan4 pan2] /lit. to count on a narrow abacus (成语 saw); petty and scheming selfishly/concerned with petty interests/selfish and uncaring of the interests of others/bean counter/

- 打得火熱 打得火热 [da3 de5 huo3 re4] /to carry on intimately with (成语 saw); ardent relationship (esp. between lovers)/billing and cooing/

- 扳龍附鳳 扳龙附凤 [ban1 long2 fu4 feng4] /hitching a ride to the sky on the dragon and phoenix (成语 saw); fig. currying favor with the rich and powerful in the hope of advancement/

- 扶危濟困 扶危济困 [fu2 wei1 ji4 kun4] /to help those in distress (成语 saw)/

- 扶弱抑強 扶弱抑强 [fu2 ruo4 yi4 qiang2] /to support the weak and restrain the strong (成语 saw); robbing the rich to help the poor/

- 扼喉撫背 扼喉抚背 [e4 hou2 fu3 bei4] /to strangle and slap the back (成语 saw); fig. to occupy a strategic post/

- 扼襟控咽 扼襟控咽 [e4 jin1 kong4 yan1] /to secure a stranglehold (成语 saw); fig. to hold a strategic pass/

- 投井下石 投井下石 [tou2 jing3 xia4 shi2] /to throw stones at sb who fell down a well (成语 saw); to hit a person who is down/

- 投桃報李 投桃报李 [tou2 tao2 bao4 li3] /toss a peach, get back a plum (成语 saw); to return a favor/to exchange gifts/Scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours./

- 投機倒把 投机倒把 [tou2 ji1 dao3 ba3] /speculation and profiteering (成语 saw); buying and selling on speculation/

- 折節讀書 折节读书 [zhe2 jie2 du2 shu1] /to start reading furiously, contrary to previous habit (成语 saw)/

- 披肝瀝膽 披肝沥胆 [pi1 gan1 li4 dan3] /lit. to open one's liver and drip gall (成语 saw); whole-hearted loyalty/

- 抱佛腳 抱佛脚 [bao4 fo2 jiao3] /lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet (without ever having burned incense) (成语 saw); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble/panic measures in place of timely preparation/

- 抱殘守缺 抱残守缺 [bao3 can2 shou3 que1] /to cherish the outmoded and preserve the outworn (成语 saw); conservative/stickler for tradition/

- 抱薪救火 抱薪救火 [bao4 xin1 jiu4 huo3] /lit. to carry firewood to put out a fire (成语 saw); fig. to make a problem worse by inappropriate action/

- 抱頭鼠竄 抱头鼠窜 [bao4 tou2 shu3 cuan4] /to cover one's head and sneak away like a rat (成语 saw); to flee ignominiously/

- 抱頭鼠躥 抱头鼠蹿 [bao4 tou2 shu3 cuan1] /to cover one's head and sneak away like a rat (成语 saw); to flee ignominiously/also written 抱頭鼠竄|抱头鼠窜/

- 抵足而眠 抵足而眠 [di3 zu2 er2 mian2] /lit. to live and sleep together (成语 saw); fig. a close friendship/

- 拂袖而去 拂袖而去 [fu2 xiu4 er2 qu4] /to brush with one's sleeve then go (成语 saw); to turn and leave abruptly/

- 拆東牆補西牆 拆东墙补西墙 [chai1 dong1 qiang2 bu3 xi1 qiang2] /lit. pull down the east wall to repair the west wall (成语 saw); fig. temporary expedient/Rob Peter to pay Paul/

- 拆東補西 拆东补西 [chai1 dong1 bu3 xi1] /lit. pull down the east wall to repair the west (成语 saw); fig. temporary expedient/Rob Peter to pay Paul/

- 拉家帶口 拉家带口 [la1 jia1 dai4 kou3] /to bear the burden of a household (成语 saw); encumbered by a family/tied down by family obligations/

- 拋磚引玉 抛砖引玉 [pao1 zhuan1 yin3 yu4] /lit. to throw a brick to attract jade (成语 saw); fig. I offer a humble remark, please give us your valued opinion (e.g. commonplace remarks as a foreword to a distinguished speech)/

- 拍案叫絕 拍案叫绝 [pai1 an4 jiao4 jue2] /lit. slap the table and shout with praise (成语 saw); fig. wonderful!/

- 拍案叫絶 拍案叫絶 [pai1 an4 jiao4 jue2] /slap the table and cheer (成语 saw); amazing!/great!/

- 拍案而起 拍案而起 [pai1 an4 er2 qi3] /lit. to slap the table and stand up (成语 saw); fig. at the end of one's tether/unable to take it any more/

- 拍案驚奇 拍案惊奇 [pai1 an4 jing1 qi2] /to slap the table in amazement (成语 saw); wonderful!/amazing!/

- 拐彎抹角 拐弯抹角 [guai3 wan1 mo4 jiao3] /lit. (of road) winding and turning (成语 saw); to speak in a roundabout way/to equivocate/to beat about the bush/

- 拔毛連茹 拔毛连茹 [ba2 mao2 lian2 ru2] /lit. pull up a plant and the roots follow (成语 saw); fig. also involving others/inextricably tangled together/Invite one and he'll tell all his friends./

- 拔茅連茹 拔茅连茹 [ba2 mao2 lian2 ru2] /lit. pull up a plant and the roots follow (成语 saw);fig. also involving others/inextricably tangled together/Invite one and he'll tell all his friends./

- 拙嘴笨舌 拙嘴笨舌 [zhuo1 zui3 ben4 she2] /lit. clumsy mouth and broken tongue (成语 saw); awkward speaker/

- 招兵買馬 招兵买马 [zhao1 bing1 mai3 ma3] /to recruit soldiers and buy horses (成语 saw); to raise a large army/fig. to expand business/to recruit new staff/

- 招賢納士 招贤纳士 [zhao1 xian2 na4 shi4] /invite the talented and call the valorous (成语 saw); to recruit talent/

- 招降納叛 招降纳叛 [zhao1 xiang2 na4 pan4] /to recruit surrendered enemy and deserters (成语 saw); to gather together a gang of villains/

- 招風惹草 招风惹草 [zhao1 feng1 re3 cao3] /lit. call the fire to burn the grass (成语 saw); to cause a quarrel by provocation/to stir up trouble/

- 拭目以待 拭目以待 [shi4 mu4 yi3 dai4] /lit. to wipe one's eyes and wait (成语 saw); to wait and see/

- 拳打腳踢 拳打脚踢 [quan2 da3 jiao3 ti1] /lit. to punch and kick (成语 saw); to beat up/fig. determined to sort out a problem/

- 拾人涕唾 拾人涕唾 [shi2 ren2 ti4 tuo4] /lit. to pick up other people's snot (成语 saw); fig. to plagiarize/

- 拾人牙慧 拾人牙慧 [shi2 ren2 ya2 hui4] /to pick up what others say (成语 saw); to pass off other people's opinions as one's own/to parrot/

- 拾金不昧 拾金不昧 [shi2 jin1 bu4 mei4] /to pick up money and not hide it (成语 saw); to return property to its owner/

- 持之以恆 持之以恒 [chi2 zhi1 yi3 heng2] /to pursue unremittingly (成语 saw); to persevere/

- 指手劃腳 指手划脚 [zhi3 shou3 hua4 jiao3] /to gesticulate while talking (成语 saw); to explain by waving one's hands/to criticize or give orders summarily/also written 指手畫腳|指手画脚/

- 指手畫腳 指手画脚 [zhi3 shou3 hua4 jiao3] /to gesticulate while talking (成语 saw); to explain by waving one's hands/to criticize or give orders summarily/

- 指鹿作馬 指鹿作马 [zhi3 lu4 zuo4 ma3] /to take a deer and call it a horse (成语 saw); deliberate inversion of the truth/

- 指鹿為馬 指鹿为马 [zhi3 lu4 wei2 ma3] /making a deer out to be a horse (成语 saw); deliberate misrepresentation/

- 按兵不動 按兵不动 [an4 bing1 bu4 dong4] /to hold back one's troops without moving (成语 saw); to bide one's time/

- 挑撥是非 挑拨是非 [tiao3 bo1 shi4 fei1] /to incite a quarrel (成语 saw); to sow discord between people/to tell tales/to make mischief/

- 挑撥離間 挑拨离间 [tiao3 bo1 li2 jian4] /to sow dissension (成语 saw); to drive a wedge between/

- 挑燈夜戰 挑灯夜战 [tiao3 deng1 ye4 zhan4] /to raise a lantern and fight at night (成语 saw); fig. to work into the night/to burn the midnight oil/

- 挖空心思 挖空心思 [wa1 kong1 xin1 si5] /to dig for thoughts (成语 saw); to search everything for an answer/to rack one's brains/

- 挖肉補瘡 挖肉补疮 [wa1 rou4 bu3 chuang1] /to cut one's flesh to cover a sore (成语 saw); faced with a current crisis, to make it worse by a temporary expedient/

- 振振有詞 振振有词 [zhen4 zhen4 you3 ci2] /to speak forcefully and with justice (成语 saw); to argue with the courage of one's convictions/

- 振振有辭 振振有辞 [zhen4 zhen4 you3 ci2] /to speak forcefully and with justice (成语 saw); to argue with the courage of one's convictions/also written 振振有詞|振振有词/

- 捕風捉影 捕风捉影 [bu3 feng1 zhuo1 ying3] /lit. chasing the wind and clutching at shadows (成语 saw); fig. groundless accusations/to act on hearsay evidence/

- 捨己救人 舍己救人 [she3 ji3 jiu4 ren2] /to abandon self for others (成语 saw); to sacrifice oneself to help the people/altruism/

- 捨己為公 舍己为公 [she3 ji3 wei4 gong1] /to give up one's private interests for the public good (成语 saw); to behave altruistically/selfless and public spirited/

- 捨生忘死 舍生忘死 [she3 sheng1 wang4 si3] /bravery with no thought of personal safety (成语 saw); risking life and limb/undaunted by perils/

- 捨身求法 舍身求法 [she3 shen1 qiu2 fa3] /to abandon one's body in the search for Buddha's truth (成语 saw)/

- 捫心無愧 扪心无愧 [men2 xin1 wu2 kui4] /lit. look into one's heart, no shame (成语 saw); with a clear conscience/

- 捶胸頓足 捶胸顿足 [chui2 xiong1 dun4 zu2] /to beat one's chest and stamp one's feet (成语 saw)/

- 捷報頻傳 捷报频传 [jie2 bao4 pin2 chuan2] /victory reports pour in (成语 saw); news of success in an endless stream/

- 掇臀捧屁 掇臀捧屁 [duo1 tun2 peng3 pi4] /to hold up buttocks and praise a fart (成语 saw); to use flatter to get what one wants/to toady/boot-licking/

- 掉書袋 掉书袋 [diao4 shu1 dai4] /lit. to drop a bag of books (成语 saw); fig. to drop quotations to appear learned/to quote classical texts as a parade of erudition/

- 排山倒海 排山倒海 [pai2 shan1 dao3 hai3] /lit. to topple the mountains and overturn the seas (成语 saw); earth-shattering/fig. gigantic/of spectacular significance/

- 排難解紛 排难解纷 [pai2 nan4 jie3 fen1] /to remove perils and solve disputes (成语 saw); to reconcile differences/

- 掛羊頭，賣狗肉 挂羊头，卖狗肉 [gua4 yang2 tou2 , mai4 gou3 rou4] /to hang a sheep's head while selling dog meat (成语 saw); to cheat/dishonest advertising/wicked deeds carried out under banner of virtue/

- 採蘭贈芍 采兰赠芍 [cai3 lan2 zeng4 shao2] /lit. pick orchids and present peonies (成语 saw); fig. presents between lovers/

- 探囊取物 探囊取物 [tan4 nang2 qu3 wu4] /to feel in one's pocket and take sth (成语 saw); as easy as pie/It's in the bag./

- 探頭探腦 探头探脑 [tan4 tou2 tan4 nao3] /to stick one's head out and look around (成语 saw)/

- 接二連三 接二连三 [jie1 er4 lian2 san1] /one after another (成语 saw) in succession/

- 推心置腹 推心置腹 [tui1 xin1 zhi4 fu4] /to give one's bare heart into sb else's keeping (成语 saw); sb has one's absolute confidence/to trust completely/to confide in sb with entire sincerity/

- 推波助瀾 推波助澜 [tui1 bo1 zhu4 lan2] /to push the wave and add to the billows (成语 saw); to add momentum/to encourage sth to get bigger/to add fuel to the fire/

- 推陳佈新 推陈布新 [tui1 chen2 bu4 xin1] /to push out the old and bring in the new (成语 saw); to innovate/to go beyond old ideas/advancing all the time/

- 推陳出新 推陈出新 [tui1 chen2 chu1 xin1] /to push out the old and bring in the new (成语 saw); to innovate/to go beyond old ideas/advancing all the time/

- 掩人耳目 掩人耳目 [yan3 ren2 er3 mu4] /to block the ears and eyes (成语 saw); to hoodwink/to dissimulate/to deceive/surreptitious/

- 掩耳盜鈴 掩耳盗铃 [yan3 er3 dao4 ling2] /to plug one's ears while stealing a bell (成语 saw); to deceive oneself/to bury one's head in the sand/

- 措手不及 措手不及 [cuo4 shou3 bu4 ji2] /no time to deal with it (成语 saw); caught unprepared/

- 措置裕如 措置裕如 [cuo4 zhi4 yu4 ru2] /to handle easily (成语 saw); effortless/

- 揀佛燒香 拣佛烧香 [jian3 fo2 shao1 xiang1] /to choose which Buddha to burn incense to (成语 saw); fig. to curry favor from the right person/

- 提綱挈領 提纲挈领 [ti2 gang1 qie4 ling3] /to concentrate on the main points (成语 saw); to bring out the essentials/

- 插科打諢 插科打诨 [cha1 ke1 da3 hun4] /to include impromptu comic material in opera performance (成语 saw); to jest/buffoonery/

- 插翅難飛 插翅难飞 [cha1 chi4 nan2 fei1] /lit. even given wings, you couldn't fly (成语 saw); fig. impossible to escape/

- 揚名四海 扬名四海 [yang2 ming2 si4 hai3] /known throughout the country (成语 saw); world-famous/

- 揚清激濁 扬清激浊 [yang2 qing1 ji1 zhuo2] /lit. drain away filth and bring in fresh water (成语 saw); fig. dispel evil and usher in good/eliminate vice and exalt virtue/

- 揚長而去 扬长而去 [yang2 chang2 er2 qu4] /to shake one's sleeve and leave (成语 saw); to turn and leave abruptly/

- 換湯不換藥 换汤不换药 [huan4 tang1 bu4 huan4 yao4] /different broth but the same old medicine (成语 saw); a change in name only/a change in form but not in substance/

- 揪心扒肝 揪心扒肝 [jiu1 xin1 ba1 gan1] /lit. grips the heart, seizes the liver (成语 saw); fear grips the heart/worried out of one's wits/scared stiff/

- 損人利己 损人利己 [sun3 ren2 li4 ji3] /harming others for one's personal benefit (成语 saw); personal gain to the detriment of others/

- 損公肥私 损公肥私 [sun3 gong1 fei2 si1] /to damage the public interest for personal profit (成语 saw); personal profit at public expense/venal and selfish behavior/

- 搖旗呐喊 摇旗呐喊 [yao2 qi2 na4 han3] /to wave flags and shout battle cries (成语 saw); to egg sb on/to give support to/

- 搜索枯腸 搜索枯肠 [sou1 suo3 ku1 chang2] /to search dry guts (成语 saw); to racks one's brains for a good wording (of a poet)/

- 搜腸刮肚 搜肠刮肚 [sou1 chang2 gua1 du4] /to search one's guts and belly (成语 saw); to racks one's brains for a solution/

- 搬口 搬口 [ban1 kou3] /to pass on stories (成语 saw); to sow dissension/to blab/to tell tales/

- 搬唇遞舌 搬唇递舌 [ban1 chun2 di4 she2] /to pass on stories (成语 saw); to sow dissension/to blab/to tell tales/

- 搬弄是非 搬弄是非 [ban1 nong4 shi4 fei1] /to incite a quarrel (成语 saw); to sow discord between people/to tell tales/to make mischief/

- 摇摇擺擺 摇摇摆摆 [yao2 yao2 bai3 bai3] /to toddle (成语 saw); duck-like walk/to hesitate/shilly-shally/

- 摩頂放踵 摩顶放踵 [mo2 ding3 fang4 zhong3] /to rub one's head and heels (成语 saw); to slave for the benefit of others/to wear oneself out for the general good/

- 撥雲見日 拨云见日 [bo1 yun2 jian4 ri4] /lit. to dispel the clouds and see the sun (成语 saw); fig. to restore justice/

- 擂鼓鳴金 擂鼓鸣金 [lei2 gu3 ming2 jin1] /to beat the drum and sound the gong (成语 saw); fig. to order an advance or retreat/to egg people on or to call them back/

- 擇善而從 择善而从 [ze2 shan4 er2 cong2] /to choose the right course and follow it (成语 saw)/

- 擊鼓鳴金 击鼓鸣金 [ji1 gu3 ming2 jin1] /to beat the drum and sound the gong (成语 saw); fig. to order an advance or retreat/to egg people on or to call them back/

- 操之過急 操之过急 [cao1 zhi1 guo4 ji2] /to act with undue haste (成语 saw); eager and impatient/over-hasty/

- 攀親道故 攀亲道故 [pan1 qin1 dao4 gu4] /to use old friends to climb socially (成语 saw); to suck up to sb/

- 攀附權貴 攀附权贵 [pan1 fu4 quan2 gui4] /to cling to the powerful and rich (成语 saw); social climbing/

- 攀高結貴 攀高结贵 [pan1 gao1 jie2 gui4] /lit. to cling to the high, connect to the rich (成语 saw); to try to attach oneself to the rich and powerful/social climbing/

- 攜家帶口 携家带口 [xie2 jia1 dai4 kou3] /to take all one's family along (成语 saw); encumbered by a family/tied down by family obligations/

- 攜家帶眷 携家带眷 [xie2 jia1 dai4 juan4] /to take all one's family along (成语 saw); encumbered by a family/tied down by family obligations/

- 支吾其詞 支吾其词 [zhi1 wu2 qi2 ci2] /(成语 saw) to talk in a roundabout way to cover up the truth/evasive/

- 支離破碎 支离破碎 [zhi1 li2 po4 sui4] /scattered and smashed (成语 saw)/

- 收之桑榆 收之桑榆 [shou1 zhi1 sang1 yu2] /to lose at sunrise but gain at sunset (成语 saw); to compensate later for one's earlier loss/what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts/

- 收殘綴軼 收残缀轶 [shou1 can2 zhui4 yi4] /to gather and patch up sth that is badly damaged (成语 saw)/

- 改弦易轍 改弦易辙 [gai3 xian2 yi4 zhe2] /change of string, move out of rut (成语 saw); dramatic change of direction/to dance to a different tune/

- 改過自新 改过自新 [gai3 guo4 zi4 xin1] /to reform and start afresh (成语 saw); to turn over a new leaf/

- 改頭換面 改头换面 [gai3 tou2 huan4 mian4] /to adjust one's head and turn one's face (成语 saw); cosmetic changes/Despite superficially new policies, the substance remains unchanged./

- 攻無不克，戰無不勝 攻无不克，战无不胜 [gong1 wu2 bu4 ke4 , zhan4 wu2 bu4 sheng4] /to triumph in every battle and win every fight (成语 saw); all-conquering/ever victorious/nothing they can't do/

- 放下屠刀，立地成佛 放下屠刀，立地成佛 [fang4 xia4 tu2 dao1 , li4 di4 cheng2 fo2] /lay down butcher's knife, become a Buddha on the spot (成语 saw); instant rehabilitation/to repent and be absolved of one's crimes/

- 放之四海而皆准 放之四海而皆准 [fang4 zhi1 si4 hai3 er2 jie1 zhun3] /appropriate to any place and any time (成语 saw); universally applicable/a panacea/

- 放長線釣大魚 放长线钓大鱼 [fang4 chang2 xian4 diao4 da4 yu2] /use a long line to catch a big fish (成语 saw); a long-term plan for major returns/

- 放馬後炮 放马后炮 [fang4 ma3 hou4 pao4] /to fire after the horse has bolted (成语 saw); to act too late to be effective/

- 放馬後砲 放马后炮 [fang4 ma3 hou4 pao4] /to fire after the horse has bolted (成语 saw); to act too late to be effective/

- 政通人和 政通人和 [zheng4 tong1 ren2 he2] /efficient government, people at peace (成语 saw); all is well with the state and the people/

- 故地重遊 故地重游 [gu4 di4 chong2 you2] /to revisit old haunts (成语 saw); down memory lane/

- 故步自封 故步自封 [gu4 bu4 zi4 feng1] /stuck in the old ways (成语 saw); refusing to acknowledge new ideas/stagnating and conservative/

- 救焚益薪 救焚益薪 [jiu4 fen2 yi4 xin1] /add firewood to put out the flames (成语 saw); fig. ill-advised action that only makes the problem worse/to add fuel to the fire/

- 敗不成軍 败不成军 [bai4 bu4 cheng2 jun1] /The army is completely routed. (成语 saw)/

- 敝帚千金 敝帚千金 [bi4 zhou3 qian1 jin1] /lit. my worn-out broom, a thousand in gold (成语 saw); fig. sentimental value/I wouldn't be parted with it for anything./

- 敝帚自珍 敝帚自珍 [bi4 zhou3 zi4 zhen1] /to value the broom as one's own (成语 saw); to attach value to sth because it is one's own/a sentimental attachment/

- 敢怒而不敢言 敢怒而不敢言 [gan3 nu4 er2 bu4 gan3 yan2] /angry, but not daring to speak out (成语 saw); obliged to remain silent about one's resentment/unable to voice objections/

- 散兵遊勇 散兵游勇 [san3 bing1 you2 yong3] /lit. straggling and disbanded soldiers (成语 saw); fig. disorganized uncoordinated action/

- 敬業樂群 敬业乐群 [jing4 ye4 yao4 qun2] /diligent and sociable (成语 saw); meticulous in work and dealing cheerfully with one's colleagues/

- 敬老尊賢 敬老尊贤 [jing4 lao3 zun1 xian2] /to respect the wise and venerate the worthy (成语 saw); to honor the great and the good/

- 敬而遠之 敬而远之 [jing4 er2 yuan3 zhi1] /to show respect from a distance (成语 saw); to remain at a respectful distance/

- 敬鬼神而遠之 敬鬼神而远之 [jing4 gui3 shen2 er2 yuan3 zhi1] /to respect Gods and demons from a distance (成语 saw); to remain at a respectful distance/

- 敲門磚 敲门砖 [qiao1 men2 zhuan1] /lit. a brick as a door knocker (成语 saw); fig. a temporary expedient/to use sb as a stepping stone to fortune/

- 數一數二 数一数二 [shu3 yi1 shu3 er2] /to enumerate/reckoned to be first or second best (成语 saw); one of the very best/

- 數不勝數 数不胜数 [shu3 bu4 sheng4 shu3] /too many to count (成语 saw); innumerable/

- 數典忘祖 数典忘祖 [shu3 dian3 wang4 zu3] /to recount history but omit one's ancestors (成语 saw); to forget one's roots/

- 數黃道黑 数黄道黑 [shu3 huang2 dao4 hei1] /to enumerate what is black and yellow (成语 saw); to criticize sb behind his back to incite quarrels/also written 數黑論黃|数黑论黄[shu3 hei1 lun4 huang2]/

- 數黑論白 数黑论白 [shu3 hei1 lun4 bai2] /to enumerate what is black and yellow (成语 saw); to criticize sb behind his back to incite quarrels/also written 數黑論黃|数黑论黄[shu3 hei1 lun4 huang2]/

- 數黑論黃 数黑论黄 [shu3 hei1 lun4 huang2] /to enumerate what is black and yellow (成语 saw); to criticize sb behind his back to incite quarrels/

- 文武雙全 文武双全 [wen2 wu3 shuang1 quan2] /well versed in letters and military technology (成语 saw); fine scholar and soldier/master of pen and sword/

- 文江學海 文江学海 [wen2 jiang1 xue2 hai3] /river of literacy, sea of learning (成语 saw); ars longa, vita brevis/

- 斗酒只雞 斗酒只鸡 [dou3 jiu3 zhi1 ji1] /lit. a chicken and a bottle of wine (成语 saw); fig. ready to make an offering to the deceased, or to entertain guests/

- 料事如神 料事如神 [liao4 shi4 ru2 shen2] /to prophecy with supernatural accuracy (成语 saw); incredible foresight/

- 斧鉞之誅 斧钺之诛 [fu3 yue4 zhi1 zhu1] /to die by battle-ax (成语 saw); to be executed/

- 斧鉞湯鑊 斧钺汤镬 [fu3 yue4 tang1 huo4] /battle-ax and boiling cauldron (成语 saw); facing torture and execution/

- 斬草除根 斩草除根 [zhan3 cao3 chu2 gen1] /to cut weeds and eliminate the roots (成语 saw); to destroy root and branch/to eliminate completely/

- 斬釘截鐵 斩钉截铁 [zhan3 ding1 jie2 tie3] /to chop the nail and slice iron(成语 saw);resolute and decisive/unhesitating/definitely/without any doubt/

- 新愁舊恨 新愁旧恨 [xin1 chou2 jiu4 hen4] /new worries added to old hatred (成语 saw); afflicted by problems old and new/

- 新陳代謝 新陈代谢 [xin1 chen2 dai4 xie4] /metabolism (biol.)/the new replaces the old (成语 saw)/

- 斷章取義 断章取义 [duan4 zhang1 qu3 yi4] /lit. to take meaning from cut segment (成语 saw); to interpret out of context/to focus attention on one phrase without regard to the meaning of the whole piece/

- 斷線風箏 断线风筝 [duan4 xian4 feng1 zheng1] /a kite with cut string (成语 saw); fig. gone beyond recall/

- 斷袖之癖 断袖之癖 [duan4 xiu4 zhi1 pi3] /lit. cut sleeve (成语 saw); fig. euphemism for homosexuality, originating from History of Western Han 漢書|汉书: emperor Han Aidi (real name Liu Xin) was in bed with his lover Dong Xian, and had to attend a court audience that morning. Not wishing to awaken Dong Xian, who was sleeping with his head resting on the emperor's long robe sleeve, Aidi used a knife to cut off the lower half of his sleeve./

- 方滋未艾 方滋未艾 [fang1 zi1 wei4 ai4] /flourishing and still in the ascendant (成语 saw); rapidly expanding/still growing strong/on the up/

- 方興未已 方兴未已 [fang1 xing1 wei4 yi3] /flourishing and still in the ascendant (成语 saw); rapidly expanding/still growing strong/on the up/

- 方興未艾 方兴未艾 [fang1 xing1 wei4 ai4] /flourishing and still in the ascendant (成语 saw); rapidly expanding/still growing strong/on the up/

- 旁敲側擊 旁敲侧击 [pang2 qiao1 ce4 ji1] /glancing knock, sideways stroke (成语 saw); fig. circuitous attack in words or writing/to attack by innuendo/to satirize/to cast oblique aspersions/

- 旁觀者清 旁观者清 [pang2 guan1 zhe3 qing1] /The person on the spot is baffled, the onlooker sees clear (成语 saw). The spectator sees more of the game./

- 旁門左道 旁门左道 [pang2 men2 zuo3 dao4] /dissenting religious sect (成语 saw); heretical school of opinion/dissident group/

- 旋乾轉坤 旋乾转坤 [xuan2 qian2 zhuan3 kun1] /lit. overturning heaven and earth (成语 saw); earth-shattering/a radical change/

- 旗開得勝 旗开得胜 [qi2 kai1 de2 sheng4] /lit. to win a victory on raising the flag (成语 saw); fig. to start on sth and have immediate success/success in a single move/

- 旗鼓相當 旗鼓相当 [qi2 gu3 xiang1 dang1] /lit. two armies have equivalent banners and drums (成语 saw); fig. evenly matched/roughly comparable (opponents)/

- 既來之，則安之 既来之，则安之 [ji4 lai2 zhi1 , ze2 an1 zhi1] /Since they have come, we should make them comfortable (成语 saw). Since we're here, take it easy./Since this is so, we should accept it./Now we have come, let's stay and take the rough with the smooth./If you can't do anything to prevent it, you might as well sit back and enjoy it./

- 既往不咎 既往不咎 [ji4 wang3 bu4 jiu4] /to forget and not bear recriminations (成语 saw); to let bygones be bygones/There is no point in crying over spilt milk./

- 日暮途窮 日暮途穷 [ri4 mu4 tu2 qiong2] /sunset, the end of the road (成语 saw); in terminal decline/at a dead end/

- 日曬雨淋 日晒雨淋 [ri4 shai4 yu3 lin2] /scorched and drenched by sun and rain (成语 saw); suffer from exposure to the elements/weather-beaten/

- 日月如梭 日月如梭 [ri4 yue4 ru2 suo1] /the sun and moon like a shuttle (成语 saw); How time flies!/

- 日無暇晷 日无暇晷 [ri4 wu2 xia2 gui3] /no time to spare (成语 saw)/

- 日落西山 日落西山 [ri4 luo4 xi1 shan1] /the sun sets over western hills (成语 saw); the day approaches its end/fig. time of decline/the end of an era/Sic transit gloria mundi/

- 旬輸月送 旬输月送 [xun2 shu1 yue4 song4] /pay every ten days, give tribute every month (成语 saw); incessant and ever more complicated demands/

- 昂首挺胸 昂首挺胸 [ang2 shou3 ting3 xiong1] /head high, chest out (成语 saw); to keep up one's spirits/in fine mettle (of animal)/

- 昂首闊步 昂首阔步 [ang2 shou3 kuo4 bu4] /striding forward with head high (成语 saw); to walk with spirited and vigorous step/to strut/

- 明人不做闇事 明人不做暗事 [ming2 ren2 bu4 zuo4 an4 shi4] /The honest person does nothing underhand (成语 saw)./fig. Do what you want to do openly and without dissimulation./

- 明察暗訪 明察暗访 [ming2 cha2 an4 fang3] /open enquiries and secret search (成语 saw); to investigate openly and in secret/taking information from all sides/

- 明月清風 明月清风 [ming2 yue4 qing1 feng1] /bright moon and clear wind (成语 saw); fig. clear and lovely atmosphere/everything in the garden is roses/

- 明查暗訪 明查暗访 [ming2 cha2 an4 fang3] /open enquiries and secret search (成语 saw); to investigate openly and in secret/taking information from all sides/

- 明槍好躲，暗箭難防 明枪好躲，暗箭难防 [ming2 qiang1 hao3 duo3 , an4 jian4 nan2 fang2] /lit. easy to dodge the spear in the open, hard to avoid a stab in the dark (成语 saw); it is hard to guard against secret conspiracies/

- 明槍易躲，暗箭難防 明枪易躲，暗箭难防 [ming2 qiang1 yi4 duo3 , an4 jian4 nan2 fang2] /lit. easy to dodge the spear in the open, hard to avoid a stab in the dark (成语 saw); it is hard to guard against secret conspiracies/

- 明爭暗鬥 明争暗斗 [ming2 zheng1 an4 dou4] /struggling in the light and fighting in the dark (成语 saw); fig. intriguing against each other/locked in constant strife/

- 明知故犯 明知故犯 [ming2 zhi1 gu4 fan4] /deliberate violation (成语 saw); intentional crime/

- 明窗淨幾 明窗净几 [ming2 chuang1 jing4 ji1] /lit. clear window and clean table (成语 saw); fig. bright and clean/

- 明辨是非 明辨是非 [ming2 bian4 shi4 fei1] /to distinguish right and wrong (成语 saw)/

- 明鏡高懸 明镜高悬 [ming2 jing4 gao1 xuan2] /a bright mirror hung high (成语 saw); fig. a mirror into the conscience of officials/Big brother is watching you./

- 易如反掌 易如反掌 [yi4 ru2 fan3 zhang3] /easy as a hand's turn (成语 saw); very easy/no effort at all/

- 星星之火 星星之火 [xing1 xing5 zhi1 huo3] /a single spark (成语 saw); an insignificant cause can have a massive effect/

- 星星之火，可以燎原 星星之火，可以燎原 [xing1 xing5 zhi1 huo3 , ke3 yi3 liao2 yuan2] /a single spark can start a huge blaze (成语 saw); an insignificant cause can have a massive effect/

- 星流電擊 星流电击 [xing1 liu2 dian4 ji1] /meteor shower and violent thunderclaps (成语 saw); omens of violent development/portentous signs/

- 星流霆擊 星流霆击 [xing1 liu2 ting2 ji1] /meteor shower and violent thunderclaps (成语 saw); omens of violent development/portentous signs/

- 星羅棋布 星罗棋布 [xing1 luo2 qi2 bu4] /scattered about like stars in the sky or chess pieces on a board (成语 saw); spread all over the place/

- 春生，夏長，秋收，冬藏 春生，夏长，秋收，冬藏 [chun1 sheng1 , xia4 zhang3 , qiu1 shou1 , dong1 cang2] /sow in spring, develop in summer, harvest in autumn, store in winter (成语 saw)/

- 春風化雨 春风化雨 [chun1 feng1 hua4 yu3] /lit. spring wind and rain (成语 saw); fig. the long-term influence of a solid education/

- 春風和氣 春风和气 [chun1 feng1 he2 qi4] /(成语 saw) amiable as a spring breeze/

- 是非不分 是非不分 [shi4 fei1 bu4 fen1] /unable to distinguish right and wrong (成语 saw)/

- 是非曲直 是非曲直 [shi4 fei1 qu1 zhi2] /lit. right and wrong, crooked and straight (成语 saw); fig. merits and demerits/pros and cons/

- 是非自有公論 是非自有公论 [shi4 fei1 zi4 you3 gong1 lun4] /to determine right and wrong based on public opinion (成语 saw)/Public opinion will judge what's right and wrong./

- 是非莫辨 是非莫辨 [shi4 fei1 mo4 bian4] /unable to distinguish right and wrong (成语 saw)/

- 時乖命蹇 时乖命蹇 [shi2 guai1 ming4 jian3] /bad times, adverse fate (成语 saw)/

- 時代不同，風尚不同 时代不同，风尚不同 [shi2 dai4 bu4 tong2 , feng1 shang4 bu4 tong2] /customs change with time (成语 saw); other times, other manners/O Tempora, O Mores!/

- 時來運轉 时来运转 [shi2 lai2 yun4 zhuan3] /the time comes, fortune turns (成语 saw); to have a lucky break/things change for the better/

- 時勢造英雄 时势造英雄 [shi2 shi4 zao4 ying1 xiong2] /Time makes the man (成语 saw). The trend of events brings forth the hero./

- 時至今日 时至今日 [shi2 zhi4 jin1 ri4] /lit. the time up to today (成语 saw); up to the present/even now/

- 時運不濟 时运不济 [shi2 yun4 bu4 ji4] /fate is unfavorable (成语 saw); the omens are not good/

- 時運亨通 时运亨通 [shi2 yun4 heng1 tong1] /our luck is in, everything is going smoothly (成语 saw)/

- 晨鐘暮鼓 晨钟暮鼓 [chen2 zhong1 mu4 gu3] /lit. morning bell, evening drum, symbolizing monastic practice (成语 saw); fig. encouragement to study or progress/

- 晴天霹靂 晴天霹雳 [qing2 tian1 pi1 li4] /thunder from a clear sky (成语 saw); a bolt from the blue/

- 智者千慮，必有一失 智者千虑，必有一失 [zhi4 zhe3 qian1 lu:4 , bi4 you3 yi1 shi1] /a wise person reflecting a thousand times can still make a mistake (成语 saw); to err is human/

- 暗察明訪 暗察明访 [an4 cha2 ming2 fang3] /open enquiries and secret search (成语 saw); to investigate openly and in secret/taking information from all sides/

- 暗無天日 暗无天日 [an4 wu2 tian1 ri4] /all black, no daylight (成语 saw); a world without justice/

- 暢所慾言 畅所欲言 [chang4 suo3 yu4 yan2] /lit. fluently saying all one wants (成语 saw); to preach freely on one's favorite topic/to hold forth to one's heart's content/

- 暮鼓晨鐘 暮鼓晨钟 [mu4 gu3 chen2 zhong1] /lit. evening drum, morning bell (成语 saw); fig. Buddhist monastic practice/the passage of time in a disciplined existence/

- 暴虎馮河 暴虎冯河 [bao4 hu3 ping2 he2] /lit. fight tiger bare handed and wade rivers (成语 saw); fig. bull-headed heroism/

- 曠古未有 旷古未有 [kuang4 gu3 wei4 you3] /never before in the whole of history (成语 saw)/unprecedented/

- 曠古未聞 旷古未闻 [kuang4 gu3 wei4 wen2] /never before in the whole of history (成语 saw)/unprecedented/also written 曠古未有|旷古未有/

- 曠日持久 旷日持久 [kuang4 ri4 chi2 jiu3] /protracted (成语 saw)/long drawn-out/

- 曲終奏雅 曲终奏雅 [qu3 zhong1 zou4 ya3] /(成语 saw)/

- 曲裡拐彎 曲里拐弯 [qu1 li3 guai3 wan1] /winding and turning (成语 saw)/

- 書香門第 书香门第 [shu1 xiang1 men2 di4] /family with a literary reputation (成语 saw); literary family/

- 曾經滄海 曾经沧海 [ceng2 jing1 cang1 hai3] /lit. once experienced the vast ocean(成语 saw); fig. widely experienced in the vicissitudes of life/cf to have known the world/

- 替古人擔憂 替古人担忧 [ti4 gu3 ren2 dan1 you1] /to fret over the worries of long-departed people (成语 saw); to worry unnecessarily/crying over spilt milk/often used with negatives, e.g. no need to worry about past issues/

- 替古人耽憂 替古人耽忧 [ti4 gu3 ren2 dan1 you1] /to fret over the worries of long-departed people (成语 saw); to worry unnecessarily/crying over spilt milk/often used with negatives, e.g. no need to worry about past issues/

- 有其父必有其子 有其父必有其子 [you3 qi2 fu4 bi4 you3 qi2 zi3] /like father, like son (成语 saw)/

- 有口皆碑 有口皆碑 [you3 kou3 jie1 bei1] /every voice gives praise (成语 saw); with an extensive public reputation/

- 有名亡實 有名亡实 [you3 ming2 wang2 shi2] /lit. has a name but no reality (成语 saw); exists only in name/nominal/

- 有名無實 有名无实 [you3 ming2 wu2 shi2] /lit. has a name but no reality (成语 saw); exists only in name/nominal/

- 有增無已 有增无已 [you3 zeng1 wu2 yi3] /constantly increasing without limit (成语 saw); rapid progress in all directions/

- 有始有終 有始有终 [you3 shi3 you3 zhong1] /where there's a start, there's a finish (成语 saw); to finish once one starts sth/to carry things through/I started, so I'll finish./

- 有始無終 有始无终 [you3 shi3 wu2 zhong1] /to start but not finish (成语 saw); to fail to carry things through/lack of sticking power/short attention span/

- 有害無利 有害无利 [you3 hai4 wu2 li4] /harmful and without benefit (成语 saw); more harm than good/

- 有害無益 有害无益 [you3 hai4 wu2 yi4] /harmful and without benefit (成语 saw); more harm than good/

- 有征無戰 有征无战 [you3 zheng1 wu2 zhan4] /to win without a fight (成语 saw)/

- 有志竟成 有志竟成 [you3 zhi4 jing4 cheng2] /persevere and you will succeed (成语 saw); where there's a will, there's a way/

- 有志者事竟成 有志者事竟成 [you3 zhi4 zhe3 shi4 jing4 cheng2] /where there is a will, there is a way (成语 saw)/

- 有條不紊 有条不紊 [you3 tiao2 bu4 wen3] /regular and thorough (成语 saw); methodically arranged/

- 有條有理 有条有理 [you3 tiao2 you3 li3] /everything clear and orderly (成语 saw); neat and tidy/

- 有氣無力 有气无力 [you3 qi4 wu2 li4] /weakly and without strength (成语 saw); dispirited/

- 有無相通 有无相通 [you3 wu2 xiang1 tong1] /mutual exchange of assistance (成语 saw)/to reciprocate with material assistance/

- 有目共睹 有目共睹 [you3 mu4 gong4 du3] /anyone with eyes can see it (成语 saw); obvious to all/sth speaks for itself/is there for all to see/

- 有目共見 有目共见 [you3 mu4 gong4 jian4] /anyone with eyes can see it (成语 saw); obvious to all/sth speaks for itself/is there for all to see/

- 有目共賞 有目共赏 [you3 mu4 gong4 shang3] /as everyone can appreciate (成语 saw); clear to all/unarguable/

- 有目無睹 有目无睹 [you3 mu4 wu2 du3] /has eyes but can't see (成语 saw); unable or unwilling to see the importance of sth/blind (to sth great)/

- 有福同享，有禍同當 有福同享，有祸同当 [you3 fu2 tong2 xiang3 , you3 huo4 tong2 dang1] /To enjoy blessings and endure misfortune together (成语 saw); for better or for worse/

- 有福同享，有難同當 有福同享，有难同当 [you3 fu2 tong2 xiang3 , you3 nan4 tong2 dang1] /To enjoy blessings and endure misfortune together (成语 saw); for better or for worse/

- 有聲有色 有声有色 [you3 sheng1 you3 se4] /having sound and color (成语 saw); vivid/dazzling/

- 有錢能使鬼推磨 有钱能使鬼推磨 [you3 qian2 neng2 shi3 gui3 tui1 mo2] /lit. money will make the Devil turn millstones (成语 saw); with money, you can do anything you like./

- 有頭有尾 有头有尾 [you3 tou2 you3 wei3] /where there's a start, there's a finish (成语 saw); to finish once one starts sth/to carry things through/I started, so I'll finish./

- 有頭無尾 有头无尾 [you3 tou2 wu2 wei3] /to start but not finish (成语 saw); to fail to carry things through/lack of sticking power/short attention span/

- 望子成龍 望子成龙 [wang4 zi3 cheng2 long2] /lit. to hope one's son becomes a dragon (成语 saw); 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/

- 望文生義 望文生义 [wang4 wen2 sheng1 yi4] /lit. view a text and interpret (成语 saw); to interpret word-by-word without understanding the meaning/a far-fetched interpretation/

- 望而生畏 望而生畏 [wang4 er2 sheng1 wei4] /intimidate at the first glance (成语 saw); awe-inspiring/terrifying/overwhelming/

- 朝三暮四 朝三暮四 [zhao1 san1 mu4 si4] /lit. say three in the morning but four in the evening (成语 saw); to change sth that is already settled upon/indecisive/to blow hot and cold/

- 朝不保夕 朝不保夕 [zhao1 bu4 bao3 xi1] /at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening (成语 saw); precarious state/imminent crisis/living from hand to mouth/

- 朝不慮夕 朝不虑夕 [zhao1 bu4 lu:4 xi1] /at dawn, not sure of lasting to evening (成语 saw); precarious state/imminent crisis/living from hand to mouth/

- 朝氣蓬勃 朝气蓬勃 [zhao1 qi4 peng2 bo2] /full of youthful energy (成语 saw); vigorous/energetic/a bright spark/

- 朝秦暮楚 朝秦暮楚 [zhao1 Qin2 mu4 Chu3] /serve Qin in the morning Chu in the evening (成语 saw); quick to switch sides/

- 朝露暮靄 朝露暮霭 [zhao1 lu4 mu4 ai3] /morning dew, evening mist (成语 saw); ephemeral/impermanent/

- 朝露溘至 朝露溘至 [zhao1 lu4 ke4 zhi4] /the morning dew will swiftly dissipate (成语 saw); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence/

- 木訥寡言 木讷寡言 [mu4 ne4 gua3 yan2] /slow and inarticulate (成语 saw); person of few words/

- 未可同日而語 未可同日而语 [wei4 ke3 tong2 ri4 er2 yu3] /lit. mustn't speak of two things on the same day (成语 saw); not to be mentioned in the same breath/incomparable/

- 本性難移 本性难移 [ben3 xing4 nan2 yi2] /It is hard to change one's essential nature (成语 saw). You can't change who you are./Can the leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)/

- 本末倒置 本末倒置 [ben3 mo4 dao4 zhi4] /lit. to invert root and branch (成语 saw); fig. confusing cause and effect/to stress the incidental over the fundamental/to put the cart before the horse/

- 朱雲折檻 朱云折槛 [Zhu1 Yun2 zhe1 kan3] /Mr Zhu Yun breaks the railing (成语 saw); to challenge and admonish boldly/

- 杞人之憂 杞人之忧 [Qi3 ren2 zhi1 you1] /man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (成语 saw); groundless fears/

- 杞人憂天 杞人忧天 [Qi3 ren2 you1 tian1] /man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (成语 saw); groundless fears/

- 杞國之憂 杞国之忧 [Qi3 guo2 zhi1 you1] /man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (成语 saw); groundless fears/

- 杞國憂天 杞国忧天 [Qi3 guo2 you1 tian1] /man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (成语 saw); groundless fears/

- 杞天之慮 杞天之虑 [Qi3 tian1 zhi1 lu:4] /man of Qǐ fears the sky falling (成语 saw); groundless fears/

- 束手待斃 束手待毙 [shu4 shou3 dai4 bi4] /hands tied and expecting a violent death (成语 saw)/

- 束手無策 束手无策 [shu4 shou3 wu2 ce4] /lit. to have one's hands bound and be unable to do anything about it (成语 saw); fig. helpless in the face of a crisis/

- 杯弓蛇影 杯弓蛇影 [bei1 gong1 she2 ying3] /lit. to see a bow reflected in a cup as a snake (成语 saw); fig. unnecessary suspicions/overly fearful/

- 杯水車薪 杯水车薪 [bei1 shui3 che1 xin1] /lit. a cup of water on a burning cart of firewood (成语 saw); fig. an utterly inadequate measure/

- 杯盤狼藉 杯盘狼藉 [bei1 pan2 lang2 ji2] /cups and dishes in complete disorder (成语 saw); after a riotous drinking party/

- 杯酒解怨 杯酒解怨 [bei1 jiu3 jie3 yuan4] /a wine cup dissolves complaints (成语 saw); a few drinks can ease social interaction/

- 杯酒言歡 杯酒言欢 [bei1 jiu3 yan2 huan1] /a few drinks and a nice conversation (成语 saw)/

- 東倒西歪 东倒西歪 [dong1 dao3 xi1 wai1] /to lean unsteadily from side to side (成语 saw); to sway/

- 東奔西走 东奔西走 [dong1 ben1 xi1 zou3] /to run this way and that (成语 saw); to rush about busily/to bustle about/to hopscotch/also 東跑西顛|东跑西颠[dong1 pao3 xi1 dian1]/

- 東奔西跑 东奔西跑 [dong1 ben1 xi1 pao3] /to run this way and that (成语 saw); to rush about busily/to bustle about/

- 東山再起 东山再起 [dong1 shan1 zai4 qi3] /lit. to return to office after living as a hermit on Mount Dongshan (成语 saw); fig. to make a comeback/

- 東張西望 东张西望 [dong1 zhang1 xi1 wang4] /to look in all directions (成语 saw)/

- 東征西怨 东征西怨 [dong1 zheng1 xi1 yuan4] /war on all sides (成语 saw); fighting from all four quarters/

- 東征西討 东征西讨 [dong1 zheng1 xi1 tao3] /war on all sides (成语 saw); fighting from all four quarters/

- 東拉西扯 东拉西扯 [dong1 la1 xi1 che3] /to talk about this and that (成语 saw); to ramble incoherently/

- 東討西征 东讨西征 [dong1 tao3 xi1 zheng1] /war on all sides (成语 saw); fighting from all four quarters/

- 杳無人煙 杳无人烟 [yao3 wu2 ren2 yan1] /dark and uninhabited (成语 saw); remote and deserted/God-forsaken/

- 枕冷衾寒 枕冷衾寒 [zhen3 leng3 qin1 han2] /cold pillow and lonely bed (成语 saw); fig. cold and solitary existence/

- 枕岩漱流 枕岩漱流 [zhen3 yan2 shu4 liu2] /lit. stone pillow, rinse with water (成语 saw); fig. a hermit's life/

- 枕巖漱流 枕岩漱流 [zhen3 yan2 shu4 liu2] /lit. stone pillow, rinse with water (成语 saw); fig. a hermit's life/

- 枕戈寢甲 枕戈寝甲 [zhen3 ge1 qin3 jia3] /to sleep on one's armor with spear by the pillow (成语 saw); ready for battle/determined to kill the enemy/Be prepared!/

- 枕戈待旦 枕戈待旦 [zhen3 ge1 dai4 dan4] /to keep one's spear by the pillow and await the dawn (成语 saw); ready for battle/determined to kill the enemy/Be prepared!/

- 枕石漱流 枕石漱流 [zhen3 shi2 shu4 liu2] /lit. stone pillow, rinse with water (成语 saw); fig. a frugal life/the life of a hermit/

- 枝節橫生 枝节横生 [zhi1 jie2 heng2 sheng1] /a new branch grows out of a knot (成语 saw); fig. side issues keep arising/

- 染指 染指 [ran3 zhi3] /to dip a finger (成语 saw); fig. to get one's finger in the pie/to get a share of the action/abbr. for 染指於鼎|染指于鼎/

- 染指垂涎 染指垂涎 [ran3 zhi3 chui2 xian2] /lit. dirty finger, mouth watering (成语 saw); fig. greedy to seize sth/

- 染指於鼎 染指于鼎 [ran3 zhi3 yu2 ding3] /lit. dip one's finger in the tripod (成语 saw); fig. to get one's finger in the pie/to get a share of the action/

- 柔情俠骨 柔情侠骨 [rou2 qing2 xia2 gu3] /gentle feelings and chivalrous disposition (成语 saw)/

- 柔情脈脈 柔情脉脉 [rou2 qing2 mo4 mo4] /full of tender feelings (成语 saw); tender-hearted/

- 柳暗花明 柳暗花明 [liu3 an4 hua1 ming2] /lit. the willow trees make the shade, the flowers give the light (成语 saw); at one's darkest hour, a glimmer of hope/light at the end of the tunnel/

- 柳煙花霧 柳烟花雾 [liu3 yan1 hua1 wu4] /lit. willow scent and mist of blossom (成语 saw); scene full of the delights of spring/

- 柴門小戶 柴门小户 [chai2 men2 xiao3 hu4] /woodcutter's cottage (成语 saw); poor person's hovel/fig. my humble house/

- 栩栩如生 栩栩如生 [xu3 xu3 ru2 sheng1] /vivid and lifelike (成语 saw); true to life/realistic/

- 格格不入 格格不入 [ge2 ge2 bu4 ru4] /(成语 saw) inharmonious/incompatible/

- 格物緻知 格物致知 [ge2 wu4 zhi4 zhi1] /to study the underlying principle to acquire knowledge (成语 saw); pursuing knowledge to the end/

- 桀貪驁詐 桀贪骜诈 [jie2 tan1 ao4 zha4] /brutal, greedy, arrogant and deceitful (成语 saw)/

- 桀驁不遜 桀骜不逊 [jie2 ao4 bu4 xun4] /arrogant and obstinate (成语 saw); unyielding/

- 案兵束甲 案兵束甲 [an4 bing1 shu4 jia3] /to rest weapons and loosen armor (成语 saw); to relax from fighting/

- 案甲休兵 案甲休兵 [an4 jia3 xiu1 bing1] /to put down weapon and let soldiers rest (成语 saw); to relax from fighting/

- 桴鼓相應 桴鼓相应 [fu2 gu3 xiang1 ying4] /lit. the hammer fits the drum (成语 saw); appropriate relation between the different parts/closely interrelated/

- 條分縷析 条分缕析 [tiao2 fen1 lu:3 xi1] /to arrange items of an argument in order (成语 saw); to analyze thoroughly/

- 條條框框 条条框框 [tiao2 tiao2 kuang4 kuang4] /fixed framework (成语 saw); restriction of social conventions and taboos (usually derogatory)/regulations and restrictions/

- 梵冊貝葉 梵册贝叶 [fan4 ce4 bei4 ye4] /Sanskrit on Talipot palm leaves (成语 saw); Buddhist scripture/

- 業精於勤 业精于勤 [ye4 jing1 yu2 qin2] /mastery of study lies in diligence (成语 saw). You can only master a subject by assiduous study./Excellence in work is only possible with diligence./Practice makes perfect./

- 極深研幾 极深研几 [ji2 shen1 yan2 ji3] /deep and detailed investigation (成语 saw)/

- 榮宗耀祖 荣宗耀祖 [rong2 zong1 yao4 zu3] /to bring honor to one's ancestors (成语 saw)/also written 光宗耀祖/

- 榮華富貴 荣华富贵 [rong2 hua2 fu4 gui4] /glory, splendor, wealth and rank (成语 saw); high position and great wealth/

- 槍打出頭鳥 枪打出头鸟 [qiang1 da3 chu1 tou2 niao3] /the shot hits the bird that pokes its head out (成语 saw)/nonconformity gets punished/

- 樂不可支 乐不可支 [le4 bu4 ke3 zhi1] /overjoyed (成语 saw); as pleased as punch/

- 樂不思蜀 乐不思蜀 [le4 bu4 si1 Shu3] /indulge in pleasure and forget home and duty (成语 saw)/

- 樂極生悲 乐极生悲 [le4 ji2 sheng1 bei1] /extreme joy turns to sorrow (成语 saw); Don't celebrate too soon, things could still go wrong!/

- 樂此不疲 乐此不疲 [le4 ci3 bu4 pi2] /to enjoy sth and never tire of it (成语 saw); unwavering enthusiasm/

- 標新取異 标新取异 [biao1 xin1 qu3 yi4] /to start on sth new and different (成语 saw); to display originality/

- 標新立異 标新立异 [biao1 xin1 li4 yi4] /to start on sth new and different (成语 saw); to display originality/

- 標新競異 标新竞异 [biao1 xin1 jing4 yi4] /to start on sth new and different (成语 saw); to display originality/

- 標新領異 标新领异 [biao1 xin1 ling3 yi4] /to bring in the new (成语 saw); new directions, different creation/

- 樹倒猢猻散 树倒猢狲散 [shu4 dao3 hu2 sun1 san4] /When the tree topples the monkeys scatter. (成语 saw); fig. an opportunist abandons an unfavorable cause/Rats leave a sinking ship./

- 樹大招風 树大招风 [shu4 da4 zhao1 feng1] /lit. a tall tree attracts the wind (成语 saw); a famous person attract criticism/If you're rich or famous, people will envy you./

- 橫征暴斂 横征暴敛 [heng2 zheng1 bao4 lian3] /to tax by force and extort levies (成语 saw); to screw taxes out of the people by force/

- 橫衝直撞 横冲直撞 [heng2 chong1 zhi2 zhuang4] /lit. bashing sideways and colliding straight on (成语 saw); to push through shoving and bumping/to barge/to charge around violently/

- 檻花籠鶴 槛花笼鹤 [jian4 hua1 long2 he4] /a flower in a cage, a crane in a basket (成语 saw); prisoner/

- 權宜之策 权宜之策 [quan2 yi2 zhi1 ce4] /stratagem of convenience (成语 saw); stop-gap measure/makeshift plan/interim step/

- 權宜之計 权宜之计 [quan2 yi2 zhi1 ji4] /plan of convenience (成语 saw); stop-gap measure/makeshift stratagem/interim step/

- 欣喜若狂 欣喜若狂 [xin1 xi3 ruo4 kuang2] /wild with joy (成语 saw); to rejoice/to exult/

- 欣欣向榮 欣欣向荣 [xin1 xin1 xiang4 rong2] /luxuriant growth (成语 saw); flourishing/thriving/

- 欺人太甚 欺人太甚 [qi1 ren2 tai4 shen4] /to bully intolerably (成语 saw)/

- 欺以其方 欺以其方 [qi1 yi3 qi2 fang1] /deceived by a pretense of reason (成语 saw)/

- 歡天喜地 欢天喜地 [huan1 tian1 xi3 di4] /delighted/wild with joy/lit. pleased with heaven, happy with earth (成语 saw)/

- 歡欣鼓舞 欢欣鼓舞 [huan1 xin1 gu3 wu3] /elated and excited (成语 saw); overjoyed/

- 此伏彼起 此伏彼起 [ci3 fu2 bi3 qi3] /up here, down there (成语 saw); to rise and fall in succession/no sooner one subsides, the next arises/repeating continuously/occurring again and again (of applause, fires, waves, protests, conflicts, uprisings etc)/

- 此地無銀三百兩 此地无银三百两 [ci3 di4 wu2 yin2 san1 bai3 liang3] /lit. 300 silver taels not hidden here (成语 saw); fig. to reveal what one intends to hide/

- 此起彼伏 此起彼伏 [ci3 qi3 bi3 fu2] /up here, down there (成语 saw); to rise and fall in succession/no sooner one subsides, the next arises/repeating continuously/occurring again and again (of applause, fires, waves, protests, conflicts, uprisings etc)/

- 歪風邪氣 歪风邪气 [wai1 feng1 xie2 qi4] /noxious winds, evil influences (成语 saw); malignant social trends/

- 死不冥目 死不冥目 [si3 bu4 ming2 mu4] /dead but will not close the eyes (成语 saw); to die with a remaining grievance/also written 死不瞑目/

- 死不瞑目 死不瞑目 [si3 bu4 ming2 mu4] /dead but will not close the eyes (成语 saw); to die with a remaining grievance/

- 死中求生 死中求生 [si3 zhong1 qiu2 sheng1] /to seek life in death (成语 saw); to fight for one's life/

- 死心塌地 死心塌地 [si3 xin1 ta1 di4] /heart is dead, no plans for anything new (成语 saw); one's mind is firmly made up with no possibility of change/dead set on sth/unswerving/

- 死於非命 死于非命 [si3 yu2 fei1 ming4] /violent death (成语 saw); to die in a disaster/an unnatural death/

- 死有餘辜 死有余辜 [si3 you3 yu2 gu1] /death cannot wipe out the crimes (成语 saw); dreadful crimes that rankled even after the perpetrator is dead/

- 死灰復燃 死灰复燃 [si3 hui1 fu4 ran2] /lit. ashes burn once more (成语 saw); fig. sb lost returns to have influence/sth malevolent returns to haunt one/

- 死無對證 死无对证 [si3 wu2 dui4 zheng4] /the dead cannot testify (成语 saw); dead men tell no tales/

- 死皮賴臉 死皮赖脸 [si3 pi2 lai4 lian3] /brazen faced (成语 saw); shameless/

- 死結難解 死结难解 [si3 jie2 nan2 jie3] /enigmatic knot hard to untie (成语 saw); thorny problem/intractable difficulty/

- 死而後已 死而后已 [si3 er2 hou4 yi3] /until death puts an end (成语 saw); one's whole life/unto one's dying day/

- 死裡逃生 死里逃生 [si3 li3 tao2 sheng1] /mortal danger, escape alive (成语 saw); a narrow escape/to survive by the skin of one's teeth/

- 死馬當活馬醫 死马当活马医 [si3 ma3 dang1 huo2 ma3 yi1] /lit. to give medicine to a dead horse (成语 saw); fig. to keep trying everything in a desperate situation/

- 殊深軫念 殊深轸念 [shu1 shen1 zhen3 nian4] /extreme solicitude (成语 saw); expressing the deepest condolences/to feel deeply concerned/

- 殊途同歸 殊途同归 [shu1 tu2 tong2 gui1] /different routes to the same destination (成语 saw); fig. different means of achieve the same end/

- 殘民害物 残民害物 [can2 min2 hai4 wu4] /to harm people and damage property (成语 saw)/

- 殘酷無情 残酷无情 [can2 ku4 wu2 qing2] /cruel and unfeeling (成语 saw)/

- 殞身不恤 殒身不恤 [yun3 shen1 bu4 xu4] /to die without regrets (成语 saw); to sacrifice oneself without hesitation/

- 殫精極慮 殚精极虑 [dan1 jing1 ji2 lu:4] /to exhaust one's thoughts and ingenuity (成语 saw); to think sth through thoroughly/to rack one's brains/to leave no stone unturned/

- 殫精竭慮 殚精竭虑 [dan1 jing1 jie2 lu:4] /to exhaust one's thoughts and ingenuity (成语 saw); to think sth through thoroughly/to rack one's brains/to leave no stone unturned/

- 殺一儆百 杀一儆百 [sha1 yi1 jing3 bai3] /lit. kill one to warn a hundred (成语 saw); to punish an individual as an example to others/pour encourager les autres/

- 殺人如麻 杀人如麻 [sha1 ren2 ru2 ma2] /to kill people like scything flax (成语 saw); human life as grass/a politician acting with total disregard for the life of his countrymen/

- 殺人放火 杀人放火 [sha1 ren2 fang4 huo3] /to kill and burn (成语 saw); murder and arson/

- 殺人越貨 杀人越货 [sha1 ren2 yue4 huo4] /to kill sb for his property (成语 saw); to murder for money/

- 殺彘教子 杀彘教子 [sha1 zhi4 jiao4 zi3] /to kill a pig as a lesson to the children (成语 saw); parents must teach by example/

- 殺雞儆猴 杀鸡儆猴 [sha1 ji1 jing3 hou2] /lit. killing the chicken to warn the monkey (成语 saw); to punish an individual as an example to others/pour encourager les autres/

- 殺雞嚇猴 杀鸡吓猴 [sha1 ji1 xia4 hou2] /lit. killing the chicken to scare the monkey (成语 saw); to punish an individual as an example to others/pour encourager les autres/

- 殺雞警猴 杀鸡警猴 [sha1 ji1 jing3 hou2] /lit. killing the chicken to warn the monkey (成语 saw); to punish an individual as an example to others/pour encourager les autres/

- 毛出在羊身上 毛出在羊身上 [mao2 chu1 zai4 yang2 shen1 shang4] /lit. wool comes from the sheep's back (成语 saw); One gets the benefit, but the price has been paid./Nothing comes for free./

- 毛遂自薦 毛遂自荐 [Mao2 Sui4 zi4 jian4] /Mao Sui recommends himself (成语 saw); to offer one's services (in the style of Mao Sui offering his services to king of Chu 楚 of the Warring states)/

- 毫無遜色 毫无逊色 [hao2 wu2 xun4 se4] /not in the least inferior (成语 saw)/

- 民以食為天 民以食为天 [min2 yi3 shi2 wei2 tian1] /Food is the God of the people. (成语 saw); People view food as the primary need./Food first, ethical niceties second/

- 民怨沸騰 民怨沸腾 [min2 yuan4 fei4 teng2] /seething discontent (成语 saw); popular grievances boil over/

- 民怨鼎沸 民怨鼎沸 [min2 yuan4 ding3 fei4] /seething discontent (成语 saw); popular grievances boil over/

- 民生凋敝 民生凋敝 [min2 sheng1 diao1 bi4] /the people's livelihood is reduced to destitution (成语 saw); a time of famine and impoverishment/

- 民窮財盡 民穷财尽 [min2 qiong2 cai2 jin4] /the people are impoverished, their means exhausted (成语 saw); to drive the nation to bankruptcy/

- 民脂民膏 民脂民膏 [min2 zhi1 min2 gao1] /lit. the fat and wealth of the people (成语 saw); the nation's hard-won wealth (esp. as an object of unscrupulous exploitation)/the people's blood, sweat and tears/

- 民變峰起 民变峰起 [min2 bian4 feng1 qi3] /seething discontent (成语 saw); widespread popular grievances/

- 民賊獨夫 民贼独夫 [min2 zei2 du2 fu1] /tyrant and oppressor of the people (成语 saw); traitorous dictator/

- 氣喘如牛 气喘如牛 [qi4 chuan3 ru2 niu2] /(成语 saw) labored breathing like a cow/to puff like a walrus/

- 氣衝霄漢 气冲霄汉 [qi4 chong1 xiao1 han4] /(成语 saw) dauntless/courageous/spirited/

- 氣頭上 气头上 [qi4 tou2 shang4] /in a fit of anger (成语 saw); in a temper/

- 水中撈月 水中捞月 [shui3 zhong1 lao1 yue4] /to fetch the moon out of the sea (成语 saw); a hopeless illusion/

- 水天一色 水天一色 [shui3 tian1 yi1 se4] /water and sky merge in one color (成语 saw)/

- 水洩不通 水泄不通 [shui3 xie4 bu4 tong1] /lit. not one drop can trickle through (成语 saw); fig. impenetrable (crowd, traffic)/

- 水清無魚 水清无鱼 [shui3 qing1 wu2 yu2] /clear water, so few fish (成语 saw); You cannot expect everyone to be squeaky clean./Don't be too picky!/

- 水滴石穿 水滴石穿 [shui3 di1 shi2 chuan1] /dripping water penetrates the stone (成语 saw); constant perseverance yields success/You can achieve your aim if you try hard without giving up./Persistent effort overcomes any difficulty./

- 水漲船高 水涨船高 [shui3 zhang3 chuan2 gao1] /the tide rises, the boat floats (成语 saw); fig. to change with the overall trend/to develop according to the situation/

- 水火無情 水火无情 [shui3 huo3 wu2 qing2] /Fire and water have no mercy (成语 saw). forces of nature beyond human control/implacable fate/

- 水至清則無魚 水至清则无鱼 [shui3 zhi4 qing1 ze2 wu2 yu2] /Water that is too clear has few fish, and one who is too critical has few friends (成语 saw); You cannot expect everyone to be squeaky clean./Don't be too picky!/

- 水落歸槽 水落归槽 [shui3 luo4 gui1 cao2] /spilt water returns to the trough (成语 saw); fig. people remember where they belong/

- 水落石出 水落石出 [shui3 luo4 shi2 chu1] /As the water recedes, the rocks appear (成语 saw); the truth comes to light/When facts are known, doubts dissipate./Murder will out./Name of a CCTV soap opera set in police station/

- 求同存異 求同存异 [qiu2 tong2 cun2 yi4] /to seek common ground while holding back differences (成语 saw); to agree to differ/

- 汗如雨下 汗如雨下 [han4 ru2 yu3 xia4] /sweating like rain (成语 saw); to perspire profusely/sweating like a pig/

- 汗牛充棟 汗牛充栋 [han4 niu2 chong1 dong4] /lit. enough books to make a pack-ox sweat or to fill a house to the rafters (成语 saw); fig. many books/

- 江山易改，本性難移 江山易改，本性难移 [jiang1 shan1 yi4 gai3 , ben3 xing4 nan2 yi2] /The rivers and mountains may change, but not one's essential nature (成语 saw). You can't change who you are./Can the leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)/

- 江河日下 江河日下 [jiang1 he2 ri4 xia4] /rivers pour away by the day (成语 saw); going from bad to worse/deteriorating day by day/

- 污七八糟 污七八糟 [wu1 qi1 ba1 zao1] /everything in disorder (成语 saw); in a hideous mess/at sixes and sevens/

- 沆瀣一氣 沆瀣一气 [hang4 xie4 yi1 qi4] /to act in collusion (成语 saw); in cahoots with/villains will look after one another/

- 沉湎酒色 沉湎酒色 [chen2 mian3 jiu3 se4] /to wallow in alcohol and sex (成语 saw); over-indulgence in wine and women/an incorrigible drunkard and lecher/

- 沉默寡言 沉默寡言 [chen2 mo4 gua3 yan2] /habitually silent (成语 saw)/reticent/uncommunicative/

- 沒有規矩，不成方圓 没有规矩，不成方圆 [mei2 you3 gui1 ju5 , bu4 cheng2 fang1 yuan2] /without rules, nothing can be done (成语 saw); one must follow some rules/

- 沒有規矩，何以成方圓 没有规矩，何以成方圆 [mei2 you3 gui1 ju3 , he2 yi3 cheng2 fang1 yuan2] /without rules, how can anything be done (成语 saw); one must follow some rules/

- 沒齒不忘 没齿不忘 [mo4 chi3 bu4 wang4] /hard to forget even after one's teeth fall out (成语 saw); to remember a benefactor as long as one lives/undying gratitude/

- 沒齒難忘 没齿难忘 [mo4 chi3 nan2 wang4] /hard to forget even after one's teeth fall out (成语 saw); to remember a benefactor as long as one lives/undying gratitude/

- 沖昏頭腦 冲昏头脑 [chong1 hun1 tou2 nao3] /lit. victory muddles the brain (成语 saw); fig. excited and unable to act rationally/

- 河水不犯井水 河水不犯井水 [he2 shui3 bu4 fan4 jing3 shui3] /lit. river water does not interfere with well water (成语 saw); Do not interfere with one another./Mind your own business./

- 油然而生 油然而生 [you2 ran2 er2 sheng1] /arising involuntarily (成语 saw); spontaneous/to spring up unbidden (of emotion)/

- 泉石膏肓 泉石膏肓 [quan2 shi2 gao1 huang1] /lit. mountain springs and rocks in one's heart (成语 saw); a deep love of mountain scenery/

- 法網難逃 法网难逃 [fa3 wang3 nan2 tao2] /it is hard to escape the net of justice (成语 saw)/

- 泛濫成災 泛滥成灾 [fan4 lan4 cheng2 zai1] /flood causes disaster (成语 saw); fig. swamped with work/

- 泥古不化 泥古不化 [ni4 gu3 bu4 hua4] /conservative and unable to adapt (成语 saw)/

- 泥牛入海 泥牛入海 [ni2 niu2 ru4 hai3] /lit. a clay ox enters the sea (成语 saw); fig. to disappear with no hope of returning/

- 泰山北斗 泰山北斗 [Tai4 shan1 Bei3 dou3] /as weighty as Mt Tai, as brilliant as the Big Dipper (成语 saw); a giant among men/

- 泰然自若 泰然自若 [tai4 ran2 zi4 ruo4] /cool and collected (成语 saw); showing no sign of nerves/perfectly composed/

- 洋洋得意 洋洋得意 [yang2 yang2 de2 yi4] /immensely pleased with oneself (成语 saw)/proud/complacent/

- 洋洋自得 洋洋自得 [yang2 yang2 zi4 de2] /immensely please with oneself (成语 saw)/proud/complacent/

- 洗心革面 洗心革面 [xi3 xin1 ge2 mian4] /lit. to wash one's heart and renew one's face (成语 saw); to repent sincerely and mend one's mistaken ways/to turn over a new leaf/

- 洛陽紙貴 洛阳纸贵 [Luo4 yang2 zhi3 gui4] /lit. to push up paper prices in Luoyang (成语 saw); fig. sensational popularity of a new book/

- 洞房花燭 洞房花烛 [dong4 fang2 hua1 zhu2] /put out candles in the new home (成语 saw); fig. wedding celebrations/wedding night/by extension, newly-weds/

- 洞房花燭夜 洞房花烛夜 [dong4 fang2 hua1 zhu2 ye4] /put out candles in the new home (成语 saw); fig. wedding celebrations/wedding night/by extension, newly-weds/

- 洞若觀火 洞若观火 [dong4 ruo4 guan1 huo3] /clear as a flame (成语 saw); to see things absolutely clearly/

- 津津有味 津津有味 [jin1 jin1 you3 wei4] /with keen interest pleasure (成语 saw); with gusto/to relish/eagerly/with great interest/

- 洪福齊天 洪福齐天 [hong2 fu2 qi2 tian1] /flood of good fortune fills the heavens (成语 saw); a lucky sign/

- 活蹦亂跳 活蹦乱跳 [huo2 beng4 luan4 tiao4] /to leap and frisk about (成语 saw); lively/healthy and active/

- 活靈活現 活灵活现 [huo2 ling2 huo2 xian4] /living spirit, living image (成语 saw); true to life/vivid and realistic/

- 活龍活現 活龙活现 [huo2 long2 huo2 xian4] /living spirit, living image (成语 saw); true to life/vivid and realistic/

- 流年不利 流年不利 [liu2 nian2 bu4 li4] /the year's horoscope augurs ill (成语 saw); an unlucky year/

- 流水不腐，戶樞不蠹 流水不腐，户枢不蠹 [liu2 shui3 bu4 fu3 , hu4 shu1 bu4 du4] /Flowing water does not rot, nor a door-hinge rust (成语 saw). Constant activity prevents decay./

- 流言蜚語 流言蜚语 [liu2 yan2 fei1 yu3] /rumors and slanders (成语 saw); gossip/lies and slanders/

- 流離失所 流离失所 [liu2 li2 shi1 suo3] /destitute and homeless (成语 saw); forced from one's home and wandering about/displaced/

- 流離顛沛 流离颠沛 [liu2 li2 dian1 pei4] /destitute and homeless (成语 saw); displaced and without means/

- 浩如煙海 浩如烟海 [hao4 ru2 yan1 hai3] /vast as the open sea (成语 saw); fig. extensive (library)/

- 浮雲朝露 浮云朝露 [fu2 yun2 zhao1 lu4] /floating clouds, morning dew (成语 saw); fig. ephemeral nature of human existence/

- 海內存知己，天涯若比鄰 海内存知己，天涯若比邻 [hai3 nei4 cun2 zhi1 ji3 , tian1 ya2 ruo4 bi3 lin2] /close friend in a distant land, far-flung realms as next door (成语 saw); close in spirit although far away/absence makes the heart grow fonder/

- 海底撈月 海底捞月 [hai3 di3 lao1 yue4] /to fetch the moon from the seabed (成语 saw); a hopeless illusion/

- 海闊天空 海阔天空 [hai3 kuo4 tian1 kong1] /wide sea and sky (成语 saw); boundless open vistas/the whole wide world/chatting about everything under the sun/

- 消愁解悶 消愁解闷 [xiao1 chou2 jie3 men4] /lit. to eliminate worry and dispel melancholy (成语 saw); diversion from boredom/to dispel depression or melancholy/to relieve stress/a relaxing pass-time/

- 涓埃之力 涓埃之力 [juan1 ai1 zhi1 li4] /negligible force (成语 saw); tiny force/

- 涓滴歸公 涓滴归公 [juan1 di1 gui1 gong1] /every drop returns to the public good (成语 saw); not one penny is misused/

- 涕淚交流 涕泪交流 [ti4 lei4 jiao1 liu2] /tears and mucus flowing profusely (成语 saw); weeping tragically/

- 淋漓盡致 淋漓尽致 [lin2 li2 jin4 zhi4] /lit. extreme saturation (成语 saw); incisive and vivid/thoroughly (unrestrained)/the ultimate in.../

- 淑人君子 淑人君子 [shu1 ren2 jun1 zi5] /virtuous gentleman (成语 saw)/

- 淡泊寡味 淡泊寡味 [dan4 bo2 gua3 wei4] /insipid and tasteless (成语 saw)/

- 深不可測 深不可测 [shen1 bu4 ke3 ce4] /deep and unmeasurable (成语 saw); unfathomable depths/incomprehensible/enigmatic and impossible to predict/

- 深信不疑 深信不疑 [shen1 xin4 bu4 yi2] /to believe firmly without any doubt (成语 saw)/absolute certainty about sth/

- 深入人心 深入人心 [shen1 ru4 ren2 xin1] /have real impact on the people (成语 Saw); affect the masses deeply/strike a chord with (the) hoi polloi/

- 深情厚意 深情厚意 [shen1 qing2 hou4 yi4] /profound love, generous friendship (成语 saw)/

- 深惡痛絕 深恶痛绝 [shen1 e4 tong4 jue2] /to detest bitterly (成语 saw); implacable hatred/to abhor/anathema/

- 深藏若虛 深藏若虚 [shen1 cang2 ruo4 xu1] /to hide one's treasure away so that no-one knows about it (成语 saw); fig. modest about one's talents/to hide one's light under a bushel/

- 深閉固拒 深闭固拒 [shen1 bi4 gu4 ju4] /deep, closed and refusing (成语 saw); obstinate/stubborn and perverse/

- 混世魔王 混世魔王 [hun4 shi4 mo2 wang2] /devil incarnate (成语 saw)/fiend in human form/

- 混水摸魚 混水摸鱼 [hun2 shui3 mo1 yu2] /to fish in troubled water (成语 saw); to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain/also written 渾水摸魚|浑水摸鱼/

- 混淆是非 混淆是非 [hun4 xiao2 shi4 fei1] /to confuse right and wrong (成语 saw)/

- 混淆視聽 混淆视听 [hun4 xiao2 shi4 ting1] /to obscure the facts (成语 saw); to mislead the public with prevarication and deliberate falsehoods/

- 混為一談 混为一谈 [hun4 wei2 yi1 tan2] /to confuse one thing with another (成语 saw); to muddle/

- 淺嘗輒止 浅尝辄止 [qian3 chang2 zhe2 zhi3] /to dabble and stop (成语 saw); to dip into/to attempt half-heartedly/content with a smattering of knowledge/

- 淺嚐輒止 浅尝辄止 [qian3 chang2 zhe2 zhi3] /to dabble and stop (成语 saw); to dip into/to attempt half-heartedly/content with a smattering of knowledge/also written 淺嘗輒止|浅尝辄止/

- 清風兩袖 清风两袖 [qing1 feng1 liang3 xiu4] /honest and upright (成语 saw)/

- 清風勁節 清风劲节 [qing1 feng1 jing4 jie2] /pure and high-minded (成语 saw)/

- 清風明月 清风明月 [qing1 feng1 ming2 yue4] /lit. cool breeze and bright moon (成语 saw); unattached and at leisure/

- 渺無人煙 渺无人烟 [miao3 wu2 ren2 yan1] /remote and uninhabited (成语 saw); deserted/God-forsaken/

- 渾水摸魚 浑水摸鱼 [hun2 shui3 mo1 yu2] /to fish in troubled water (成语 saw); to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain/

- 湖光山色 湖光山色 [hu2 guang1 shan1 se4] /scenic lakes and mountain (成语 saw); beautiful lake and mountain landscape/

- 源源不斷 源源不断 [yuan2 yuan2 bu4 duan4] /a steady flow (成语 saw); an unending stream/

- 源遠流長 源远流长 [yuan2 yuan3 liu2 chang2] /lit. source is distant and the flow is long (成语 saw); fig. sth goes back to the dim and distant past/a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then/

- 溘先朝露 溘先朝露 [ke4 xian1 zhao1 lu4] /the morning dew will swiftly dissipate (成语 saw); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence/

- 溜鬚拍馬 溜须拍马 [liu1 xu1 pai1 ma3] /to smooth whiskers and pat a horse's bottom (成语 saw); to use flatter to get what one wants/to toady/boot-licking/

- 溫情脈脈 温情脉脉 [wen1 qing2 mo4 mo4] /full of tender feelings (成语 saw); tender-hearted/

- 溫文爾雅 温文尔雅 [wen1 wen2 er3 ya3] /cultured and refined (成语 saw); gentle and cultivated/

- 溫良恭儉讓 温良恭俭让 [wen1 liang2 gong1 jian3 rang4] /kind-hearted and moderate (成语 saw); temperate and gentle/

- 滄海桑田 沧海桑田 [cang1 hai3 sang1 tian2] /lit. blue seas where once was mulberry fields (成语 saw); time brings great changes/life's vicissitudes/

- 滄海遺珠 沧海遗珠 [cang1 hai3 yi2 zhu1] /undiscovered talent (成语 saw)/

- 滔滔不絕 滔滔不绝 [tao1 tao1 bu4 jue2] /unceasing torrent (成语 saw); talking non-stop/gabbling forty to the dozen/

- 滴水石穿 滴水石穿 [di1 shui3 shi2 chuan1] /dripping water penetrates the stone (成语 saw); constant perseverance yields success/You can achieve your aim if you try hard without giving up./Persistent effort overcomes any difficulty./

- 滴水穿石 滴水穿石 [di1 shui3 chuan1 shi2] /dripping water penetrates the stone (成语 saw); constant perseverance yields success/You can achieve your aim if you try hard without giving up./Persistent effort overcomes any difficulty./

- 滾瓜爛熟 滚瓜烂熟 [gun3 gua1 lan4 shu2] /lit. ripe as a melon that rolls from its vine (成语 saw); fig. to know fluently/to know sth inside-out/to know sth by heart/

- 滿不在乎 满不在乎 [man3 bu4 zai4 hu5] /not in the least concerned (成语 saw)/reckless/couldn't give a damn about it/unperturbed/couldn't care less/harum scarum/

- 滿城風雨 满城风雨 [man3 cheng2 feng1 yu3] /lit. wind and rain through the town (成语 saw); fig. a big scandal/an uproar/the talk of the town/

- 滿打滿算 满打满算 [man3 da3 man3 suan4] /taking everything into account (成语 saw)/when all is said and done/

- 滿招損，謙受益 满招损，谦受益 [man3 zhao1 sun3 , qian1 shou4 yi4] /(成语 saw) complacency leads to loss, modesty brings profit/pride comes before a fall/

- 滿腹牢騷 满腹牢骚 [man3 fu4 lao2 sao1] /lit. belly full of complaints (成语 saw)/discontent/always moaning and complaining/

- 滿腹經綸 满腹经纶 [man3 fu4 jing1 lun2] /full of political wisdom (成语 saw)/politically astute/with encyclopedic experience of state policy/

- 漆黑一團 漆黑一团 [qi1 hei1 yi1 tuan2] /all black, no daylight (成语 saw); a world without justice/

- 漏洞百出 漏洞百出 [lou4 dong4 bai3 chu1] /lit. one hundred loopholes (成语 saw); full of mistakes (of speech or article)/

- 漏網之魚 漏网之鱼 [lou4 wang3 zhi1 yu2] /fish that escaped the net (成语 saw); fugitive/homeless exile/

- 漏網遊魚 漏网游鱼 [lou4 wang3 you2 yu2] /fish that escaped the net (成语 saw); fugitive/homeless exile/

- 漠不關心 漠不关心 [mo4 bu4 guan1 xin1] /not in the least concerned (成语 saw); quite indifferent/

- 漠然置之 漠然置之 [mo4 ran2 zhi4 zhi1] /to set to one side and ignore (成语 saw); quite indifferent/cold and uncaring/

- 漫山遍野 漫山遍野 [man4 shan1 bian4 ye3] /lit. hiding the mountains and covering the plains (成语 saw); fig. as far as the eye can see/covering everything/omnipresent/

- 漫漫長夜 漫漫长夜 [man4 man4 chang2 ye4] /endless night (成语 saw); fig. long suffering/

- 潑水難收 泼水难收 [po1 shui3 nan2 shou1] /water once spilt cannot be retrieved (成语 saw); irreversible change/

- 潔身自好 洁身自好 [jie2 shen1 zi4 hao4] /clean-living and honest (成语 saw); to avoid immorality/to shun evil influence/to mind one's own business and keep out of trouble/to keep one's hands clean/

- 澡垢索疵 澡垢索疵 [zao3 gou4 suo3 ci1] /to wash the dirt to find a defect (成语 saw); to find fault/to nitpick/

- 澡身浴德 澡身浴德 [zao3 shen1 yu4 de2] /to bathe the body and cleanse virtue (成语 saw); to improve oneself by meditation/cleanliness is next to godliness/

- 激濁揚清 激浊扬清 [ji1 zhuo2 yang2 qing1] /lit. drain away filth and bring in fresh water (成语 saw); fig. dispel evil and usher in good/eliminate vice and exalt virtue/

- 濟困扶危 济困扶危 [ji4 kun4 fu2 wei1] /to help those in distress (成语 saw)/

- 濟濟一堂 济济一堂 [ji3 ji3 yi1 tang2] /to congregate in one hall (成语 saw); to gather under one roof/

- 濫竽充數 滥竽充数 [lan4 yu2 chong1 shu4] /lit. to play the yu 竽 mouth organ to make up numbers (成语 saw); fig. to make up the numbers with inferior products/to masquerade as having an ability/token member of a group/

- 火上加油 火上加油 [huo3 shang4 jia1 you2] /to add oil to the fire (成语 saw); fig. to aggravate a situation/to enrage people and make matters worse/

- 火燒眉毛 火烧眉毛 [huo3 shao1 mei2 mao5] /lit. the fire burns one's eyebrows (成语 saw); fig. desperate situation/extreme emergency/

- 灰不溜丟 灰不溜丢 [hui1 bu4 liu1 diu1] /gloomy and dull (成语 saw); boring and gray/unpleasantly murky/

- 灰頭土臉 灰头土脸 [hui1 tou2 tu3 lian3] /lit. head and face filthy with grime (成语 saw); fig. dejected and depressed/

- 為人師表 为人师表 [wei2 ren2 shi1 biao3] /to serve as a model (成语 saw); a paragon/

- 為德不卒 为德不卒 [wei2 de2 bu4 zu2] /to start on virtue but give up (成语 saw); to fail to carry things through/lack of sticking power/short attention span/

- 為德不終 为德不终 [wei2 de2 bu4 zhong1] /to start on virtue but give up (成语 saw); to fail to carry things through/lack of sticking power/short attention span/

- 為虎作倀 为虎作伥 [wei2 hu3 zuo4 chang1] /to act as accomplice to the tiger (成语 saw); to take the part of the devil/to help a villain against honest people/

- 為非作歹 为非作歹 [wei2 fei1 zuo4 dai3] /to break the law and commit crimes (成语 saw); malefactor/evil-doer/to perpetrate outrages/

- 烈火乾柴 烈火干柴 [lie4 huo3 gan1 chai2] /lit. intense fire to dry wood (成语 saw); inferno in a woodpile/fig. consuming passion between lovers/

- 烏七八糟 乌七八糟 [wu1 qi1 ba1 zao1] /everything in disorder (成语 saw); in a hideous mess/at sixes and sevens/

- 烏煙瘴氣 乌烟瘴气 [wu1 yan1 zhang4 qi4] /foul black smoke atmosphere (成语 saw); fig. everything in a tremendous mess/pandemonium reigns/

- 烘雲托月 烘云托月 [hong1 yun2 tuo1 yue4] /lit. to shade in the clouds to offset the moon (成语 saw); fig. a foil/a contrasting character to a main hero/

- 烽火四起 烽火四起 [feng1 huo3 si4 qi3] /the fire of war in all four directions (成语 saw); the confusion of war/

- 烽煙四起 烽烟四起 [feng1 yan1 si4 qi3] /lit. fire beacons in all four directions (成语 saw); the confusion of war/

- 烽煙四起，戰火紛飛 烽烟四起，战火纷飞 [feng1 yan1 si4 qi3 , zhan4 huo3 fen1 fei1] /lit. fire beacons in all four directions (成语 saw); the confusion of war/

- 烽煙遍地 烽烟遍地 [feng1 yan1 bian4 di4] /fire beacons on all sides (成语 saw); enveloped in the flames of war/

- 焚膏繼晷 焚膏继晷 [fen2 gao1 ji4 gui3] /to burn the midnight oil (成语 saw); to work continuously night and day/

- 無依無靠 无依无靠 [wu2 yi1 wu2 kao4] /no one to rely on (成语 saw); on one's own/orphaned/left to one's own devices/

- 無倚無靠 无倚无靠 [wu2 yi3 wu2 kao4] /variant of 無依無靠 无依无靠, no one to rely on (成语 saw); on one's own/orphaned/left to one's own devices/

- 無功而返 无功而返 [wu2 gong1 er2 fan3] /to return without any achievement (成语 saw); to go home with one's tail between one's legs/

- 無可置疑 无可置疑 [wu2 ke3 zhi4 yi2] /cannot be doubted (成语 saw)/

- 無名小卒 无名小卒 [wu2 ming2 xiao3 zu2] /lit. nameless soldier (成语 saw); an unknown/nonentity/

- 無堅不摧 无坚不摧 [wu2 jian1 bu4 cui1] /no stronghold one cannot overcome (成语 saw); to conquer every obstacle/nothing one can't do/to carry everything before one/

- 無孔不鑽 无孔不钻 [wu2 kong3 bu4 zuan1] /lit. leave no hole undrilled (成语 saw); to latch on to every opportunity/

- 無容置疑 无容置疑 [wu2 rong2 zhi4 yi2] /cannot be doubted (成语 saw)/

- 無影無蹤 无影无踪 [wu2 ying3 wu2 zong1] /to disappear without trace (成语 saw); to vanish completely/

- 無微不至 无微不至 [wu2 wei1 bu4 zhi4] /in every possible way (成语 saw); meticulous/

- 無徵不信 无征不信 [wu2 zheng1 bu4 xin4] /without proof one can't believe it (成语 saw)/

- 無情無義 无情无义 [wu2 qing2 wu2 yi4] /completely lacking any feeling or sense of justice (成语 saw); cold and ruthless/

- 無惡不作 无恶不作 [wu2 e4 bu4 zuo4] /not to shrink from any crime (成语 saw); to commit any imaginable misdeed/

- 無所事事 无所事事 [wu2 suo3 shi4 shi4] /to have nothing to do (成语 saw); to idle one's time away/at a loose end/

- 無所用心 无所用心 [wu2 suo3 yong4 xin1] /not paying attention to anything (成语 saw); to idle time away/

- 無所適從 无所适从 [wu2 suo3 shi4 cong2] /not knowing which course to follow (成语 saw); at a loss what to do/

- 無拘無束 无拘无束 [wu2 ju1 wu2 shu4] /free and unconstrained (成语 saw); unfettered/unbuttoned/without care or worries/

- 無毒不丈夫 无毒不丈夫 [wu2 du2 bu4 zhang4 fu5] /no poison, no great man (成语 saw); A great man has to be ruthless./

- 無法無天 无法无天 [wu2 fa3 wu2 tian1] /regardless of the law and of natural morality (成语 saw); maverick/undisciplined and out of control/

- 無理取鬧 无理取闹 [wu2 li3 qu3 nao4] /to make trouble without reason (成语 saw); deliberately awkward/pointless provocation/willful trouble maker/

- 無的放矢 无的放矢 [wu2 di4 fang4 shi3] /to shoot without aim (成语 saw); fig. to speak without thinking/firing blindly/to shoot in the air/a shot in the dark/

- 無稽之談 无稽之谈 [wu2 ji1 zhi1 tan2] /absurd nonsense (成语 saw)/

- 無窮無盡 无穷无尽 [wu2 qiong2 wu2 jin4] /vast and limitless (成语 saw); endless span of time/no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an end/

- 無精打彩 无精打彩 [wu2 jing1 da3 cai3] /dull and colorless (成语 saw); lacking vitality/not lively/

- 無精打採 无精打采 [wu2 jing1 da3 cai3] /dispirited and downcast (成语 saw); listless/in low spirits/washed out/

- 無緣無故 无缘无故 [wu2 yuan2 wu2 gu4] /no cause, no reason (成语 saw); completely uncalled for/

- 無聲無息 无声无息 [wu2 sheng1 wu2 xi1] /wordless and uncommunicative (成语 saw); without speaking/taciturn/not providing any news/

- 無能為力 无能为力 [wu2 neng2 wei2 li4] /impotent (成语 saw)/powerless/helpless/

- 無計可施 无计可施 [wu2 ji4 ke3 shi1] /no strategy left to try (成语 saw); at one's wit's end/at the end of one's tether/powerless/

- 無話可說 无话可说 [wu2 hua4 ke3 shuo1] /there is nothing more to say (成语 saw); above criticism/perfect/

- 無風不起浪 无风不起浪 [wu2 feng1 bu4 qi3 lang4] /lit. without wind there cannot be waves (成语 saw); there must be a reason/no smoke without fire/

- 焦頭爛額 焦头烂额 [jiao1 tou2 lan4 e2] /lit. beaten head and scorched brow (成语 saw); beaten black and blue/fig. in trouble/in terrible shape/hard pressed/overwrought/

- 煙燻火燎 烟熏火燎 [yan1 xun1 huo3 liao3] /smoke and baking fire (成语 saw); surrounded by flames and smoke/

- 煙花風月 烟花风月 [yan1 hua1 feng1 yue4] /refers to love-making (成语 saw)/

- 煞費苦心 煞费苦心 [sha4 fei4 ku3 xin1] /to take a lot of trouble (成语 saw); painstaking/at the cost of a lot of effort/

- 煥然一新 焕然一新 [huan4 ran2 yi1 xin1] /to look completely new (成语 saw); brand new/changed beyond recognition/

- 照葫蘆畫瓢 照葫芦画瓢 [zhao4 hu2 lu5 hua4 piao2] /lit. to draw a painting inside a gourd (成语 saw); fig. a model/a world in a nutshell/

- 照貓畫虎 照猫画虎 [zhao4 mao1 hua4 hu3] /lit. drawing a tiger using a cat as a model (成语 saw); fig. to pretend to do sth without understanding it/

- 煮豆燃萁 煮豆燃萁 [zhu3 dou4 ran2 qi2] /burning beanstalks to cook the beans (成语 saw); to cause internecine strife/

- 熏陶成性 熏陶成性 [xun1 tao2 cheng2 xing4] /(成语 saw) nurture makes second nature/good habits come by long assimilation/

- 熟能生巧 熟能生巧 [shu2 neng2 sheng1 qiao3] /with familiarity you learn the trick (成语 saw); practice makes perfect/

- 熱情洋溢 热情洋溢 [re4 qing2 yang2 yi4] /brimming with enthusiasm (成语 saw); full of warmth/

- 熱淚盈眶 热泪盈眶 [re4 lei4 ying2 kuang4] /eyes brimming with tears of excitement (成语 saw)/extremely moved/

- 燃眉之急 燃眉之急 [ran2 mei2 zhi1 ji2] /lit. the fire burns one's eyebrows (成语 saw); fig. desperate situation/extreme emergency/

- 燈紅酒綠 灯红酒绿 [deng1 hong2 jiu3 lu:4] /lanterns red, wine green (成语 saw); feasting and pleasure-seeking/debauched and corrupt environment/

- 燕雀安知鴻鵠之志 燕雀安知鸿鹄之志 [yan4 que4 an1 zhi1 hong2 gu3 zhi1 zhi4] /lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (成语 saw); fig. how can we small fry predict the ambitions of the great?/

- 燕雀焉知鴻鹄之志 燕雀焉知鸿鹄之志 [yan4 que4 yan1 zhi1 hong2 gu3 zhi1 zhi4] /lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (成语 saw); fig. how can we small fry predict the ambitions of the great?/

- 燕雀相賀 燕雀相贺 [yan4 que4 xiang4 he4] /lit. sparrow and swallow's congratulation (成语 saw); fig. to congratulate sb on completion of a building project/congratulations on your new house!/

- 燕雀處堂 燕雀处堂 [yan4 que4 chu4 tang2] /lit. a caged bird in a pavilion (成语 saw); fig. to lose vigilance by comfortable living/unaware of the disasters ahead/a fool's paradise/

- 營私舞弊 营私舞弊 [ying2 si1 wu3 bi4] /fraudulent personal gain (成语 saw); to engage in corrupt practice/

- 燦若繁星 灿若繁星 [can4 ruo4 fan2 xing1] /bright as a multitude of stars (成语 saw); extremely able talent/

- 爬山涉水 爬山涉水 [pa2 shan1 she4 shui3] /to climb mountains and wade rivers (成语 saw); fig. to make a long and difficult journey/

- 爭先恐後 争先恐后 [zheng1 xian1 kong3 hou4] /striving to be first and fearing to be last (成语 saw); outdoing one another/

- 爭分奪秒 争分夺秒 [zheng1 fen1 duo2 miao3] /lit. fight minutes, snatch seconds (成语 saw); a race against time/making every second count/

- 爭名奪利 争名夺利 [zheng1 ming2 duo2 li4] /to fight for fame, grab profit (成语 saw); scrambling for fame and wealth/only interested in personal gain/

- 爭權奪利 争权夺利 [zheng1 quan2 duo2 li4] /scramble for power and profit (成语 saw); power struggle/

- 爭長論短 争长论短 [zheng1 chang2 lun4 duan3] /lit. to argue who is right and wrong (成语 saw); to quibble/a storm in a teacup/

- 爾虞我詐 尔虞我诈 [er3 yu2 wo3 zha4] /lit. you hoodwink me and I cheat you (成语 saw); fig. mutual deception/each tries to outwit the other/dog eats dog and devil take the hindmost/

- 牛溲馬勃 牛溲马勃 [niu2 sou1 ma3 bo2] /cow's piss, horse's ulcer (成语 saw); worthless nonsense/insignificant/

- 牛驥同槽 牛骥同槽 [niu2 ji4 tong2 cao2] /cow and famous steed at the same trough (成语 saw); fig. the common and the great are treated alike/also written 牛驥同皂|牛骥同皂[niu2 ji4 tong2 zao4]/

- 牛驥同皂 牛骥同皂 [niu2 ji4 tong2 zao4] /cow and famous steed at the same trough (成语 saw); fig. the common and the great are treated alike/

- 牝雞司晨 牝鸡司晨 [pin4 ji1 si1 chen2] /female chicken crows at daybreak (成语 saw); a woman usurps authority/women meddle in politics/The female wears the trousers./

- 牝雞牡鳴 牝鸡牡鸣 [pin4 ji1 mu3 ming2] /female chicken crows at daybreak (成语 saw); a woman usurps authority/women meddle in politics/The female wears the trousers./

- 牡丹雖好，全仗綠葉扶 牡丹虽好，全仗绿叶扶 [mu3 dan5 sui1 hao3 , quan2 zhang4 lu:4 ye4 fu2] /Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (成语 saw). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others./

- 牡丹雖好，全仗綠葉扶持 牡丹虽好，全仗绿叶扶持 [mu3 dan5 sui1 hao3 , quan2 zhang4 lu:4 ye4 fu2 chi2] /Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (成语 saw). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others./

- 牡丹雖好，全憑綠葉扶持 牡丹虽好，全凭绿叶扶持 [mu3 dan5 sui1 hao3 , quan2 ping2 lu:4 ye4 fu2 chi2] /Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (成语 saw). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others./

- 牡丹雖好，終鬚須綠葉扶持 牡丹虽好，终须须绿叶扶持 [mu3 dan5 sui1 hao3 , zhong1 xu1 xu1 lu:4 ye4 fu2 chi2] /Although the peony is beautiful, it depends entirely on help from the green leaves (成语 saw). However brilliant you may be, you can't do anything without support from others./

- 物以類聚 物以类聚 [wu4 yi3 lei4 ju4] /similar things come together (成语 saw); like draws like/Birds of a feather flock together./

- 物以類聚，人以群分 物以类聚，人以群分 [wu4 yi3 lei4 ju4 , ren2 yi3 qun2 fen1] /Similar things group together, similar people fit together (成语 saw); Birds of a feather flock together./

- 牽腸掛肚 牵肠挂肚 [qian1 chang2 gua4 du4] /deeply worried (成语 saw); to feel anxious/

- 狂三詐四 狂三诈四 [kuang2 san1 zha4 si4] /to deceive and swindle across the board (成语 saw)/

- 狂飲暴食 狂饮暴食 [kuang2 yin3 bao4 shi2] /drunken gluttony (成语 saw); eating and drinking to excess/

- 狐假虎威 狐假虎威 [hu2 jia3 hu3 wei1] /lit. the fox exploits the tiger's might (成语 saw); fig. to use powerful connections to intimidate people/

- 狐朋狗友 狐朋狗友 [hu2 peng2 gou3 you3] /a pack of rogues (成语 saw); a gang of scoundrels/

- 狐狸尾巴 狐狸尾巴 [hu2 li5 wei3 ba5] /lit. fox's tail (成语 saw); visible sign of evil intentions/to reveal one's evil nature/evidence that reveals the villain/

- 狐群狗黨 狐群狗党 [hu2 qun2 gou3 dang3] /a pack of rogues (成语 saw); a gang of scoundrels/

- 狗仗人勢 狗仗人势 [gou3 zhang4 ren2 shi4] /a dog threatens based on master's power (成语 saw); to use one's position to bully others/

- 狗竇大開 狗窦大开 [gou3 dou4 da4 kai1] /dog hole wide open (成语 saw); fig. gap caused by missing teeth (used mockingly)/

- 狼吞虎咽 狼吞虎咽 [lang2 tun1 hu3 yan4] /to wolf down one's food (成语 saw); to devour ravenously/to gorge oneself/

- 狼奔豕突 狼奔豕突 [lang2 ben1 shi3 tu1] /the wolf runs and the wild boar rushes (成语 saw); crowds of evil-doers mill around like wild beasts/

- 狼子野心 狼子野心 [lang2 zi3 ye3 xin1] /ambition of wild wolves (成语 saw); rapacious designs/

- 狼煙四起 狼烟四起 [lang2 yan1 si4 qi3] /fire beacons on all sides (成语 saw); enveloped in the flames of war/

- 狼狽為奸 狼狈为奸 [lang2 bei4 wei2 jian1] /villains collude together (成语 saw); to work hand in glove with sb (to nefarious ends)/

- 狼號鬼哭 狼号鬼哭 [lang2 hao2 gui3 ku1] /lit. wolves howling, devils groaning (成语 saw); pathetic screams/

- 獨一無二 独一无二 [du2 yi1 wu2 er4] /unique and unmatched (成语 saw); unrivalled/nothing compares with it/

- 獨來獨往 独来独往 [du2 lai2 du2 wang3] /coming and going alone (成语 saw); a lone operator/keeping to oneself/unsociable/maverick/

- 獨具匠心 独具匠心 [du2 ju4 jiang4 xin1] /original and ingenious (成语 saw); to display creativity/

- 獨出心裁 独出心裁 [du2 chu1 xin1 cai2] /to display originality (成语 saw); to do things differently/

- 獨夫民賊 独夫民贼 [du2 fu1 min2 zei2] /tyrant and oppressor of the people (成语 saw); traitorous dictator/

- 獨斷專行 独断专行 [du2 duan4 zhuan1 xing2] /to decide and act alone (成语 saw); to take arbitrary action/a law unto oneself/

- 獨斷獨行 独断独行 [du2 duan4 du2 xing2] /to decide and act alone (成语 saw); to take arbitrary action/a law unto oneself/

- 獨樹一幟 独树一帜 [du2 shu4 yi1 zhi4] /lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (成语 saw); fig. to act as a loner/to stand out/to develop one's own school/to have attitude of one's own/

- 獨當一面 独当一面 [du2 dang1 yi1 mian4] /to assume personal responsibility (成语 saw); to take charge of a section/

- 獨立自主 独立自主 [du2 li4 zi4 zhu3] /independent and autonomous (成语 saw); self-determination/to act independently/to maintain control over one's own affairs/

- 獨膽英雄 独胆英雄 [du2 dan3 ying1 xiong2] /bold and courageous hero (成语 saw)/

- 獨行其是 独行其是 [du2 xing2 qi2 shi4] /to go one's own way (成语 saw); to act independently without asking others/

- 獨辟蹊徑 独辟蹊径 [du2 pi4 xi1 jing4] /to blaze a new trail (成语 saw); to display originality/

- 獨霸一方 独霸一方 [du2 ba4 yi1 fang1] /to exercise sole hegemony (成语 saw); to dominate a whole area (market, resources etc)/to hold as one's personal fiefdom/

- 率爾操觚 率尔操觚 [shuai4 er3 cao1 gu1] /to compose in off-hand way (成语 saw); to dash off/

- 率獸食人 率兽食人 [shuai4 shou4 shi2 ren2] /lit. to lead beasts to eat the people (成语 saw); fig. tyrannical government oppresses the people/

- 率由卓章 率由卓章 [shuai4 you2 zhuo2 zhang1] /(成语 saw); conservative/

- 玉潔冰清 玉洁冰清 [yu4 jie2 bing1 qing1] /clear as ice and clean as jade (成语 saw); spotless/irreproachable/incorruptible/

- 玩世不恭 玩世不恭 [wan2 shi4 bu4 gong1] /to trifle without respect (成语 saw); to despise worldly conventions/frivolous/

- 玩火自焚 玩火自焚 [wan2 huo3 zi4 fen2] /to play with fire and get burnt (成语 saw); fig. to play with evil and suffer the consequences/to get one's fingers burnt/

- 玩物喪志 玩物丧志 [wan2 wu4 sang4 zhi4] /lit. trifling destroys the will (成语 saw); infatuation with fine details prevents one making progress/excessive attention to trivia saps the will/

- 珍饈美味 珍馐美味 [zhen1 xiu1 mei3 wei4] /delicacy and fine taste (成语 saw); a wonderful treat/

- 珍饈美饌 珍馐美馔 [zhen1 xiu1 mei3 zhuan4] /delicacy and fine taste (成语 saw); a wonderful treat/

- 珠流璧轉 珠流璧转 [zhu1 liu2 bi4 zhuan3] /lit. pearl flows, jade moves on (成语 saw); fig. the passage of time/water under the bridge/

- 珠玉在側 珠玉在侧 [zhu1 yu4 zai4 ce4] /gems at the side (成语 saw); flanked by genius/

- 珠聯璧合 珠联璧合 [zhu1 lian2 bi4 he2] /string of pearl and jade (成语 saw); ideal combination/perfect pair/

- 理屈詞窮 理屈词穷 [li3 qu1 ci2 qiong2] /faulty argument and poor rhetoric (成语 saw); unable to put forward any convincing arguments/without a leg to stand on/

- 理所當然 理所当然 [li3 suo3 dang1 ran2] /as it should be by rights (成语 saw); proper and to be expected as a matter of course/inevitable and right/

- 理直氣壯 理直气壮 [li3 zhi2 qi4 zhuang4] /in the right and self-confident (成语 saw); bold and confident with justice on one's side/to have the courage of one's convictions/just and forceful/

- 琳瑯滿目 琳琅满目 [lin2 lang2 man3 mu4] /glittering jewels to delight the eye (成语 saw)/fig. a dazzling line-up/

- 琴劍飄零 琴剑飘零 [qin2 jian4 piao1 ling2] /floating between zither and sword (成语 saw); fig. wandering aimlessly with no tenured position/

- 瓊樓玉宇 琼楼玉宇 [qiong2 lou2 yu4 yu3] /bejeweled jade palace (成语 saw); sumptuous dwelling/

- 瓊漿玉液 琼浆玉液 [qiong2 jiang1 yu4 ye4] /bejeweled nectar (成语 saw); ambrosia of the immortals/superb liquor/top quality wine/

- 瓜熟蒂落 瓜熟蒂落 [gua1 shu2 di4 luo4] /when the melon is ripe, it falls (成语 saw); problems sort themselves out in the fullness of time/

- 瓮中捉鱉 瓮中捉鳖 [weng4 zhong1 zhuo1 bie1] /to catch a turtle in a jar (成语 saw); to set oneself an easy target/a turkey shoot/

- 甚囂塵上 甚嚣尘上 [shen4 xiao1 chen2 shang4] /clamor raises the dust (成语 saw); a tremendous clamor/to raise a tremendous stink/

- 甜言密語 甜言密语 [tian2 yan2 mi4 yu3] /sweet words and honeyed phrases (成语 saw); elegant but insincere words/cheating wheedling/dishonest rhetoric/

- 甜言美語 甜言美语 [tian2 yan2 mei3 yu3] /sweet words, beautiful phrases (成语 saw); hypocritical flattery/

- 甜言蜜語 甜言蜜语 [tian2 yan2 mi4 yu3] /sweet speech and honeyed words (成语 saw); hypocritical flattery/

- 生不逢時 生不逢时 [sheng1 bu4 feng2 shi2] /born at the wrong time (成语 saw); unlucky (esp. to complain about one's fate)/born under an unlucky star/ahead of his time/

- 生吞活剝 生吞活剥 [sheng1 tun1 huo2 bo1] /to swallow whole (成语 saw); fig. to apply uncritically/

- 生命不息，戰鬥不止 生命不息，战斗不止 [sheng1 ming4 bu4 xi1 , zhan4 dou4 bu4 zhi3] /while there is life, the fight continues (成语 saw); to fight to the last/

- 生炒熱賣 生炒热卖 [sheng1 chao3 re4 mai4] /to sell while it's still hot (成语 saw); fig. in a great hurry to publish or sell (and no time to improve the product)/

- 生米做成熟飯 生米做成熟饭 [sheng1 mi3 zuo4 cheng2 shu2 fan4] /lit. the raw rice is now cooked (成语 saw); fig. it is done and can't be changed/It's too late to change anything now./also written 生米煮成熟飯|生米煮成熟饭/

- 生米煮成熟飯 生米煮成熟饭 [sheng1 mi3 zhu3 cheng2 shu2 fan4] /lit. the raw rice is now cooked (成语 saw); fig. it is done and can't be changed/It's too late to change anything now./

- 生米熟飯 生米熟饭 [sheng1 mi3 shu2 fan4] /abbr. for 生米煮成熟飯|生米煮成熟饭, lit. the raw rice is now cooked (成语 saw); fig. it is done and can't be changed/It's too late to change anything now./

- 生財有道 生财有道 [sheng1 cai2 you3 dao4] /lit. there are principles behind making money (成语 saw); fig. to have a knack for good business/knowing how to accumulate wealth/good at feathering one's own nest/

- 畏縮不前 畏缩不前 [wei4 suo1 bu4 qian2] /to shrink back in fear (成语 saw); too cowardly to advance/

- 留得青山在，不怕沒柴燒 留得青山在，不怕没柴烧 [liu2 de5 qing1 shan1 zai4 , bu4 pa4 mei2 chai2 shao1] /While the green hills last, there'll be wood to burn (成语 saw). Where there's life there's hope./

- 畫荻教子 画荻教子 [hua4 di2 jiao4 zi3] /to arrange reed figures to teach reading (成语 saw); mother's admirable dedication to her children's education/

- 畫虎類犬 画虎类犬 [hua4 hu3 lei4 quan3] /drawing a tiger like a dog (成语 saw); to make a fool of oneself by excessive ambition/

- 畫蛇添足 画蛇添足 [hua4 she2 tian1 zu2] /lit. draw legs on a snake (成语 saw); fig. to ruin the effect by adding sth superfluous/to overdo it/

- 畫龍點睛 画龙点睛 [hua4 long2 dian3 jing1] /to paint a dragon and dot in the eyes (成语 saw); fig. to add the vital finishing touch/the crucial point that brings the subject to life/a few words to clinch the point/

- 異口同聲 异口同声 [yi4 kou3 tong2 sheng1] /lit. different mouths, same voice (成语 saw); to speak in unison/unanimous/

- 異國他鄉 异国他乡 [yi4 guo2 ta1 xiang1] /foreign lands and places (成语 saw); living as expatriate/

- 異香撲鼻 异香扑鼻 [yi4 xiang1 pu1 bi2] /exotic odors assail the nostrils (成语 saw)/

- 當之無愧 当之无愧 [dang1 zhi1 wu2 kui4] /fully deserving, without any reservations (成语 saw); entirely worthy (of a title, honor etc)/

- 當局者迷，旁觀者清 当局者迷，旁观者清 [dang1 ju2 zhe3 mi2 , pang2 guan1 zhe3 qing1] /The person on the spot is baffled, the onlooker sees clear (成语 saw). The onlooker sees more of the game./

- 疏財仗義 疏财仗义 [shu1 cai2 zhang4 yi4] /distributing money, fighting for virtue (成语 saw); fig. generous in helping the needy/

- 疏財重義 疏财重义 [shu1 cai2 zhong4 yi4] /distributing money, supporting virtue (成语 saw); fig. to give generously in a public cause/

- 疲於奔命 疲于奔命 [pi2 yu2 ben1 ming4] /lit. tired of constantly running for one's life (成语 saw); terribly busy/up to one's ears in work/

- 疾惡如仇 疾恶如仇 [ji2 wu4 ru2 chou2] /hating evil as an enemy (成语 saw); to hate the wicked as personal foes/

- 疾風勁草 疾风劲草 [ji2 feng1 jing4 cao3] /the storm put strong grass to the test (成语 saw); fig. troubled times test a faithful minister/to show one's true colors after a stern test/

- 疾風知勁草 疾风知劲草 [ji2 feng1 zhi1 jing4 cao3] /the storm put strong grass to the test (成语 saw); fig. troubled times test a faithful minister/to show one's true colors after a stern test/also written 疾風勁草|疾风劲草/

- 疾風知勁草，烈火見真金 疾风知劲草，烈火见真金 [ji2 feng1 zhi1 jin4 cao3 , lie4 huo3 jian4 zhen1 jin1] /the storm put strong grass to the test, fire tests true gold (成语 saw); fig. troubled times test a faithful minister/to show one's true colors after a stern test/

- 病來如山倒，病去如抽絲 病来如山倒，病去如抽丝 [bing4 lai2 ru2 shan1 dao3 , bing4 qu4 ru2 chou1 si1] /sickness comes like a landslide, but goes slowly like spinning silk (成语 saw); expect to convalesce slowly/

- 病入膏肓 病入膏肓 [bing4 ru4 gao1 huang1] /lit. the disease has attacked the vitals (成语 saw); fig. beyond cure/the situation is hopeless/

- 病從口入 病从口入 [bing4 cong2 kou3 ru4] /Illness enters by the mouth (成语 saw). Mind what you eat!/fig. A loose tongue may cause a lot of trouble./

- 病從口入，禍從口出 病从口入，祸从口出 [bing4 cong2 kou3 ru4 , huo4 cong2 kou3 chu1] /Illness enters by the mouth, trouble comes out by the mouth (成语 saw). A loose tongue may cause a lot of trouble./

- 病急亂投醫 病急乱投医 [bing4 ji2 luan4 tou2 yi1] /lit. to turn to any doctor one can find when critically ill (成语 saw); fig. to try anyone or anything in a crisis/

- 病民害國 病民害国 [bing4 min2 hai4 guo2] /to damage the people and harm the country (成语 saw)/

- 病民蠱國 病民蛊国 [bing4 min2 gu3 guo2] /to damage the people and harm the country (成语 saw)/

- 痛改前非 痛改前非 [tong4 gai3 qian2 fei1] /completely correcting one's former misdeeds (成语 saw); to repent past mistakes and turn over a new leaf/a reformed character/

- 瘡痍滿目 疮痍满目 [chuang1 yi2 man3 mu4] /lit. bumps and bruises everywhere (成语 saw); fig. an ugly shambles/devastation everywhere/

- 癡心妄想 痴心妄想 [chi1 xin1 wang4 xiang3] /to labor under a delusion (成语 saw); wishful thinking/trad. form 痴心妄想 also used/

- 登高望遠 登高望远 [deng1 gao1 wang4 yuan3] /to stand tall and see far (成语 saw); taking the long and broad view/acute foresight/

- 發奮圖強 发奋图强 [fa1 fen4 tu2 qiang2] /to make an effort to become strong (成语 saw); determined to do better/to pull one's socks up/

- 發號施令 发号施令 [fa1 hao4 shi1 ling4] /to give orders (成语 saw); to command/to boss people about/

- 白旄黃鉞 白旄黄钺 [bai2 mao2 huang2 yue4] /white banner and yellow battle-ax (成语 saw); refers to military expedition/

- 白莧紫茄 白苋紫茄 [bai2 xian4 zi3 qie2] /white amaranth, purple eggplant (成语 saw); common foodstuff, unpretentious lifestyle/

- 白頭偕老 白头偕老 [bai2 tou2 xie2 lao3] /(to live together until the) white hairs of old age (成语 saw); to live to a ripe old age in conjugal bliss/until death do us part/

- 白頭到老 白头到老 [bai2 tou2 dao4 lao3] /(to live together until the) white hairs of old age (成语 saw); to live to a ripe old age in conjugal bliss/until death do us part/

- 白駒過隙 白驹过隙 [bai2 ju1 guo4 xi4] /a white steed flits past a crack (成语 saw); How time flies!/

- 百家爭鳴 百家争鸣 [bai3 jia1 zheng1 ming2] /a hundred schools of thought contend (成语 saw); refers to the classical philosophic schools of the Warring States period 475-221 BC/

- 百尺竿頭，更盡一步 百尺竿头，更尽一步 [bai3 chi3 gan1 tou2 , geng4 jin4 yi1 bu4] /lit. hundred foot pole, progress still further (成语 saw); fig. much accomplished, still some work to do/to continue to further successes/not to rest on one's laurels/

- 百年樹人 百年树人 [bai3 nian2 shu4 ren2] /It takes ten years to nurture a tree, but a hundred years to train a man (成语 saw). A good education program takes a long time to develop./refers to the saw 十年樹木,百年樹人|十年树木,百年树人/

- 百無禁忌 百无禁忌 [bai3 wu2 jin4 ji4] /all taboos are off (成语 saw); anything goes/nothing is taboo/

- 百無聊賴 百无聊赖 [bai3 wu2 liao2 lai4] /bored to death (成语 saw)/bored stiff/overcome with boredom/

- 百聞不如一見 百闻不如一见 [bai3 wen2 bu4 ru2 yi1 jian4] /seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times (成语 saw); seeing for oneself is better than hearing from many others/seeing is believing/

- 百花齊放 百花齐放 [bai3 hua1 qi2 fang4] /a hundred flowers bloom (成语 saw); let the arts have free expression/

- 百花齊放，百家爭鳴 百花齐放，百家争鸣 [bai3 hua1 qi2 fang4 , bai3 jia1 zheng1 ming2] /a hundred flowers bloom, a hundred schools of thought contend (成语 saw); refers to the classical philosophic schools of the Warring States period 475-221 BC, but adopted for Mao's campaign of 1956/

- 皇天不負苦心人 皇天不负苦心人 [Huang2 tian1 bu4 fu4 ku3 xin1 ren2] /Heaven will not disappoint the person who tries (成语 saw). If you try hard, you're bound to succeed eventually./

- 皇親國戚 皇亲国戚 [huang2 qin1 guo2 qi1] /the emperor relatives (成语 saw); person with powerful connections/

- 皓首蒼顏 皓首苍颜 [hao4 shou3 cang1 yan2] /white hair and gray sunken cheeks (成语 saw); decrepit old age/

- 皓齒明眸 皓齿明眸 [hao4 chi3 ming2 mou2] /white teeth and bright eyes (成语 saw); lovely young woman/

- 皓齒硃唇 皓齿朱唇 [hao4 chi3 zhu1 chun2] /white teeth and vermilion lips (成语 saw); lovely young woman/

- 盃酒解怨 盃酒解怨 [bei1 jiu3 jie3 yuan4] /a wine cup dissolves complaints (成语 saw); a few drinks can ease social interaction/

- 盟山誓海 盟山誓海 [meng2 shan1 shi4 hai3] /to pledge undying love (成语 saw); oath of eternal love/to swear by all the Gods/

- 盡人皆知 尽人皆知 [jin4 ren2 jie1 zhi1] /known by everyone (成语 saw); well known/a household name/

- 盡善盡美 尽善尽美 [jin4 shan4 jin4 mei3] /perfect (成语 saw); perfection/the best of all possible worlds/as good as it gets/

- 盡心盡力 尽心尽力 [jin4 xin1 jin4 li4] /making an all-out effort (成语 saw); to try one's heart out/to do one's utmost/

- 盡心竭力 尽心竭力 [jin4 xin1 jie2 li4] /to spare no effort (成语 saw); to do one's utmost/

- 盡職盡責 尽职尽责 [jin4 zhi2 jin4 ze2] /responsible and diligent (成语 saw)/

- 盡釋前嫌 尽释前嫌 [jin4 shi4 qian2 xian2] /to forget former enmity (成语 saw)/

- 盤根問底 盘根问底 [pan2 gen1 wen4 di3] /lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (成语 saw); to get to the bottom of sth/

- 盤根究底 盘根究底 [pan2 gen1 jiu1 di3] /lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (成语 saw); to get to the bottom of sth/

- 盤根錯節 盘根错节 [pan2 gen1 cuo4 jie2] /twisted roots and intertwined joints (成语 saw); complicated and very tricky/knotty and deeply-rooted difficulties/

- 盤龍臥虎 盘龙卧虎 [pan2 long2 wo4 hu3] /coiled dragon, crouching tiger (成语 saw); fig. talented individuals in hiding/concealed talent/

- 目不交睫 目不交睫 [mu4 bu4 jiao1 jie2] /lit. the eye cannot see the eyelashes (成语 saw); fig. unable to see one's own faults/to lack self-awareness/truths too close to home/

- 目不忍見 目不忍见 [mu4 bu4 ren3 jian4] /lit. the eye cannot bear to see it (成语 saw); a scene too pitiful to behold/

- 目不忍視 目不忍视 [mu4 bu4 ren3 shi4] /lit. the eye cannot bear to see it (成语 saw); a scene too pitiful to behold/

- 目不暇接 目不暇接 [mu4 bu4 xia2 jie1] /lit. too much for the eye to take in (成语 saw); a feast for the eyes/

- 目不暇給 目不暇给 [mu4 bu4 xia2 gei3] /the eye cannot take it all in (成语 saw); too many good things to see/a feast for the eyes/

- 目不見睫 目不见睫 [mu4 bu4 jian4 jie2] /lit. the eye cannot see the eyelashes (成语 saw); fig. unable to see one's own faults/to lack self-awareness/truths too close to home/

- 目不識丁 目不识丁 [mu4 bu4 shi2 ding1] /lit. the eye cannot recognize the letter T (成语 saw); totally illiterate/

- 目不轉睛 目不转睛 [mu4 bu4 zhuan3 jing1] /unable to take one's eyes off (成语 saw); to gaze steadily/to stare/

- 目中無人 目中无人 [mu4 zhong1 wu2 ren2] /to consider everyone else beneath one (成语 saw); so arrogant that no-one else matters/condescending/to go about with one's nose in the air/

- 目怔口呆 目怔口呆 [mu4 zheng1 kou3 dai1] /lit. eye startled, mouth struck dumb (成语 saw); stunned/stupefied/

- 目挑心招 目挑心招 [mu4 tiao3 xin1 zhao1] /the eye incites, the heart invites (成语 saw); flirtatious/making eyes at sb/

- 目無全牛 目无全牛 [mu4 wu2 quan2 niu2] /to see the ox already cut up into joints (成语 saw); extremely skilled/able to see through the problem at one glance/

- 目無法紀 目无法纪 [mu4 wu2 fa3 ji4] /with no regard for law or discipline (成语 saw); flouting the law and disregarding all rules/in complete disorder/

- 目瞪口呆 目瞪口呆 [mu4 deng4 kou3 dai1] /dumbstruck (成语 saw); stupefied/stunned/

- 目空一切 目空一切 [mu4 kong1 yi1 qie4] /the eye can see nothing worthwhile all around (成语 saw); arrogant/condescending/supercilious/

- 目空四海 目空四海 [mu4 kong1 si4 hai3] /the eye can see nothing worthwhile all around (成语 saw); arrogant/condescending/supercilious/

- 目迷五色 目迷五色 [mu4 mi2 wu3 se4] /the eye is bewildered by five colors (成语 saw); a dazzling riot of colors/

- 直情徑行 直情径行 [zhi2 qing2 jing4 xing2] /straightforward and honest in one's actions (成语 saw)/

- 直截了當 直截了当 [zhi2 jie2 liao3 dang4] /direct and plain speaking (成语 saw); blunt/straightforward/

- 直言不諱 直言不讳 [zhi2 yan2 bu4 hui4] /straight talk, nothing taboo (成语 saw); frank and straightforward/to speak bluntly without euphemism/

- 相依為命 相依为命 [xiang1 yi1 wei2 ming4] /mutually dependent for life (成语 saw); to rely upon one another for survival/interdependent/

- 相提并論 相提并论 [xiang1 ti2 bing4 lun4] /to discuss two disparate things together (成语 saw); to mention on equal terms/to place on a par with/(often with negatives: impossible to mention X in the same breath as Y)/

- 相濡以沫 相濡以沫 [xiang1 ru2 yi3 mo4] /to moisten with spittle (成语 saw); sharing meager resources/mutual help in humble circumstances/

- 相見恨晚 相见恨晚 [xiang1 jian4 hen4 wan3] /to regret not having met earlier (成语 saw); It is nice to meet you finally./It feels like we have known each other all along./

- 相親相愛 相亲相爱 [xiang1 qin1 xiang1 ai4] /to be kind and love one another (成语 saw); bound by deep emotions/

- 相輔相成 相辅相成 [xiang1 fu3 xiang1 cheng2] /to complement one another (成语 saw)/

- 相體裁衣 相体裁衣 [xiang4 ti3 cai2 yi1] /lit. tailor the clothes to fit the body (成语 saw); fig. act according to real circumstances/

- 眉來眼去 眉来眼去 [mei2 lai2 yan3 qu4] /lit. eyes and eyebrows come and go (成语 saw); to make eyes/to exchange flirting glances with sb/

- 眉開眼笑 眉开眼笑 [mei2 kai1 yan3 xiao4] /brows raised in delight, eyes laughing (成语 saw); beaming with joy/all smiles/

- 看菜吃飯 看菜吃饭 [kan1 cai4 chi1 fan4] /eat depending on the dish (成语 saw); fig. to act according to actual circumstances/to live within one's means/

- 看菜吃飯，量體裁衣 看菜吃饭，量体裁衣 [kan1 cai4 chi1 fan4 , liang2 ti3 cai2 yi1] /eat depending on the dish, cut cloth according to the body (成语 saw); to fit the appetite to the dishes and the dress to the figure/to act according to actual circumstances/to live within one's means/

- 真偽莫辨 真伪莫辨 [zhen1 wei3 mo4 bian4] /can't judge true or false (成语 saw); unable to distinguish the genuine from the fake/not to know whether to believe (what one reads in the news)/

- 真刀真槍 真刀真枪 [zhen1 dao1 zhen1 qiang1] /real swords, real spears (成语 saw)/real weapons/very much for real/every bit real/the genuine article/

- 真心實意 真心实意 [zhen1 xin1 shi2 yi4] /genuine and sincere regards (成语 saw); in good faith/

- 真情實意 真情实意 [zhen1 qing2 shi2 yi4] /out of genuine friendship (成语 saw)/sincere feelings/

- 真憑實據 真凭实据 [zhen1 ping2 shi2 ju4] /reliable evidence (成语 saw); conclusive proof/definitive evidence/

- 真相大白 真相大白 [zhen1 xiang4 da4 bai2] /the whole truth is revealed (成语 saw); everything becomes clear/

- 真相畢露 真相毕露 [zhen1 xiang4 bi4 lu4] /real face fully revealed (成语 saw); fig. to unmask and expose the whole truth/

- 眼不見為淨 眼不见为净 [yan3 bu4 jian4 wei2 jing4] /to take sth to be clean without seeing how it is prepared (成语 saw); fig./

- 眼穿腸斷 眼穿肠断 [yan3 chuan1 chang2 duan4] /the eyes bore through, the belly hungers (成语 saw); in eager anticipation/keenly awaiting/

- 眼高手低 眼高手低 [yan3 gao1 shou3 di1] /grandiose aims but modest ability (成语 saw); to have high standards while unable to live up to them/ambitious but incompetent/

- 眾志成城 众志成城 [zhong4 zhi4 cheng2 cheng2] /unity of will is an impregnable stronghold (成语 saw)/

- 眾所周知 众所周知 [zhong4 suo3 zhou1 zhi1] /as everyone knows (成语 saw)/

- 眾所週知 众所周知 [zhong4 suo3 zhou1 zhi1] /as everyone knows (成语 saw)/also written 眾所周知|众所周知/

- 眾矢之的 众矢之的 [zhong4 shi3 zhi1 di4] /lit. target of a multitude of arrows (成语 saw); the butt of public criticism/attacked on all sides/

- 眾說紛揉 众说纷揉 [zhong4 shuo1 fen1 rou2] /lit. diverse opinions confused and divided (成语 saw); opinions differ/controversial matters/

- 眾說紛紜 众说纷纭 [zhong4 shuo1 fen1 yun2] /lit. diverse opinions confused and divided (成语 saw); opinions differ/controversial matters/

- 瞞天過海 瞒天过海 [man2 tian1 guo4 hai3] /to cross the sea under cover (成语 saw); to escape by a clever vanishing act/

- 瞬息萬變 瞬息万变 [shun4 xi1 wan4 bian4] /in an instant a myriad changes (成语 saw); rapid substantial change/

- 矇在鼓裡 蒙在鼓里 [meng2 zai4 gu3 li3] /lit. kept hoodwinked inside a drum (成语 saw); completely in the dark/

- 矜功不立 矜功不立 [jin1 gong1 bu4 li4] /boasts a lot, but nothing comes of it (成语 saw)/

- 知法犯法 知法犯法 [zhi1 fa3 fan4 fa3] /to know the law and break it (成语 saw); consciously going against the rules/

- 知足常樂 知足常乐 [zhi1 zu2 chang2 le4] /satisfied with what one has (成语 saw)/

- 短兵相接 短兵相接 [duan3 bing1 xiang1 jie1] /lit. short-weaponed soldiery fight one another (成语 saw); fierce hand-to-hand infantry combat/to fight at close quarters/

- 短小精悍 短小精悍 [duan3 xiao3 jing1 han4] /small but robust (成语 saw); concise and forceful/

- 矮小精悍 矮小精悍 [ai3 xiao3 jing1 han4] /short but intrepid (成语 saw)/

- 矯枉過正 矫枉过正 [jiao3 wang3 guo4 zheng4] /to over-correct a defect (成语 saw); to over-compensate/to push sth too far the other way/fig. inverse discrimination/

- 矯枉過直 矫枉过直 [jiao3 wang3 guo4 zhi2] /to over-correct a defect (成语 saw); to over-compensate/to push sth too far the other way/fig. inverse discrimination/

- 砲火連天 炮火连天 [pao4 huo3 lian2 tian1] /cannon firing for days on end (成语 saw); enveloped in the flames of war/

- 破涕為笑 破涕为笑 [po4 ti4 wei2 xiao4] /to turn tears into laughter (成语 saw); to turn grief into happiness/

- 破竹之勢 破竹之势 [po4 zhu2 zhi1 shi4] /lit. a force to smash bamboo (成语 saw); fig. irresistible force/

- 破竹建瓴 破竹建瓴 [po4 zhu2 jian4 ling2] /lit. smash bamboo, overturn water tank (成语 saw); fig. irresistible force/

- 破綻百出 破绽百出 [po4 zhan4 bai3 chu1] /lit. one hundred splits (成语 saw); fig. full of mistakes (of speech or written article)/

- 破罐破摔 破罐破摔 [po4 guan4 po4 shuai1] /lit. to smash a cracked pot (成语 saw); crazy despair in the face of a blemish, defect, error or setback/

- 破膽寒心 破胆寒心 [po4 dan3 han2 xin1] /lit. to bust guts and freeze the heart (成语 saw); terrifying/to scare sb badly/

- 破舊立新 破旧立新 [po4 jiu4 li4 xin1] /to get rid of the old to bring in the new (成语 saw); to innovate/

- 破釜沉舟 破釜沉舟 [po4 fu3 chen2 zhou1] /lit. to break the cauldrons and sink the boats (成语 saw); fig. to cut off one's means of retreat/to burn one's boats/

- 破鏡重圓 破镜重圆 [po4 jing4 chong2 yuan2] /a shattered mirror put back together (成语 saw)/(of marriage) to pick up the pieces and start anew/for a separated couple to reconcile and reunite/

- 破門而入 破门而入 [po4 men2 er2 ru4] /to force a door open (成语 saw); breaking and entry/

- 破除迷信 破除迷信 [po4 chu2 mi2 xin4] /to eliminate superstition (成语 saw)/

- 碧海青天 碧海青天 [bi4 hai3 qing1 tian1] /green sea, blue sky (成语 saw); sea and sky merge in one shade/loneliness of faithful widow/

- 碧草如茵 碧草如茵 [bi4 cao3 ru2 yin1] /green grass like cushion (成语 saw); green meadow so inviting to sleep on/

- 磨嘴皮子 磨嘴皮子 [mo2 zui3 pi2 zi5] /to wear out the skin of one's teeth (成语 saw); pointlessly blather/to talk incessant nonsense/blah blah/

- 磨杵成針 磨杵成针 [mo2 chu3 cheng2 zhen1] /to grind an iron bar down to a fine needle (成语 saw); fig. to persevere in a difficult task/to study diligently/

- 磨穿鐵硯 磨穿铁砚 [mo2 chuan1 tie3 yan4] /to grind one's way through an inkstone (成语 saw); fig. to persevere in a difficult task/to study diligently/

- 礙口識羞 碍口识羞 [ai4 kou3 shi2 xiu1] /tongue-tied for fear of embarrassment (成语 saw)/

- 礙難從命 碍难从命 [ai4 nan2 cong1 ming4] /difficult to obey orders (成语 saw); much to my embarrassment, I am unable to comply/

- 祁奚之薦 祁奚之荐 [Qi2 Xi1 zhi1 jian4] /Qi Xi's recommendation (成语 saw); recommending the best person for the job independent of factional loyalty/

- 神乎其技 神乎其技 [shen2 hu1 qi2 ji4] /(成语 saw) brilliant/extremely skillful/virtuosic/

- 神出鬼沒 神出鬼没 [shen2 chu1 gui3 mo4] /lit. Gods appear and devils vanish (成语 saw); to appear and disappear unpredictably/to change rapidly/

- 神工鬼斧 神工鬼斧 [shen2 gong1 gui3 fu3] /supernaturally fine craft (成语 saw); the work of the Gods/uncanny workmanship/superlative craftsmanship/

- 神差鬼使 神差鬼使 [shen2 chai1 gui3 shi3] /the work of gods and devils (成语 saw); unexplained event crying out for a supernatural explanation/curious coincidence/

- 神采奕奕 神采奕奕 [shen2 cai3 yi4 yi4] /in glowing spirits (成语 saw); bursting with life/radiating health and vigor/

- 神采飛揚 神采飞扬 [shen2 cai3 fei1 yang2] /in high spirits (成语 saw); glowing with health and vigor/

- 神魂顛倒 神魂颠倒 [shen2 hun2 dian1 dao3] /lit. spirit and soul upside-down (成语 saw); infatuated and head over heels in love/fascinated/captivated/

- 禁止令行 禁止令行 [jin4 zhi3 ling4 xing2] /lit. if he orders you go, he forbids you stop (成语 saw); fig. to demand exact compliance with instructions/to ensure strictly obedience/

- 禍不單行 祸不单行 [huo4 bu4 dan1 xing2] /Misfortune does not come singly (成语 saw)./It never rains but it pours./

- 禍從口出 祸从口出 [huo4 cong2 kou3 chu1] /Trouble issues from the mouth (成语 saw). A loose tongue may cause a lot of trouble./

- 禍福無常 祸福无常 [huo4 fu2 wu2 chang2] /disaster and happiness do not follow rules (成语 saw); future blessings and misfortunes are unpredictable/

- 禍首罪魁 祸首罪魁 [huo4 shou3 zui4 kui2] /main offender, criminal ringleader (成语 saw); main culprit/fig. main cause of a disaster/

- 福如東海 福如东海 [fu2 ru2 Dong1 hai3] /lucky as immense as the East sea (成语 saw); a lucky sign/

- 福星高照 福星高照 [fu2 xing1 gao1 zhao4] /lucky star in the ascendant (成语 saw); a lucky sign/

- 禮崩樂壞 礼崩乐坏 [li3 beng1 yue4 huai4] /rites collapse, music spoilt (成语 saw); degeneration of feudal religious rites/Things ain't what they used to be./

- 禮輕人意重 礼轻人意重 [li3 qing1 ren2 yi4 zhong4] /slight present but weighty meaning (成语 saw); It's not the present the counts, it's the thought behind it./

- 禮輕人意重，千里送鵝毛 礼轻人意重，千里送鹅毛 [li3 qing1 ren2 yi4 zhong4 , qian1 li3 song4 e2 mao2] /goose feather sent from afar, a slight present but weighty meaning (成语 saw); It's not the present the counts, it's the thought behind it./

- 禮輕情意重 礼轻情意重 [li3 qing1 qing2 yi4 zhong4] /goose feather sent from afar, a trifling present with a weighty thought behind it (成语 saw); It's not the gift that counts, but the thought behind it./

- 秉公辦理 秉公办理 [bing3 gong1 ban4 li3] /conducting business impartially (成语 saw); to act justly/

- 秋後算帳 秋后算帐 [qiu1 hou4 suan4 zhang4] /lit. settling accounts after the autumn harvest (成语 saw); to wait until the time is ripe to settle accounts/to bide time for revenge/

- 秋毫無犯 秋毫无犯 [qiu1 hao2 wu2 fan4] /lit. not harming a new feather (成语 saw); not commit the slightest offense against the people (of soldiers)/would not hurt a fly/

- 秋荼密網 秋荼密网 [qiu1 tu2 mi4 wang3] /flowering autumn grass, fine net (成语 saw); fig. abundant and exacting punishments prescribed by law/

- 秋風掃落葉 秋风扫落叶 [qiu1 feng1 sao3 luo4 ye4] /lit. as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves (成语 saw); to drive out the old and make a clean sweep/

- 秋風過耳 秋风过耳 [qiu1 feng1 guo4 er3] /lit. as the autumn breeze passes the ear (成语 saw); not in the least concerned/

- 移情別戀 移情别恋 [yi2 qing2 bie2 lian4] /change of affection, shift of love (成语 saw); to change one's feelings to another love/to fall in love with sb else/

- 種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆 [zhong4 gua1 de2 gua1 , zhong4 dou4 de2 dou4] /lit. Sow melon and you get melon, sow beans and you get beans (成语 saw); fig. As you sow, so shall you reap./One must live with the consequences of one's actions./You've made your bed, now must lie on it./

- 稱心如意 称心如意 [chen4 xin1 ru2 yi4] /after one's heart (成语 saw); gratifying and satisfactory/everything one could wish/

- 稱砣雖小壓千斤 秤砣虽小压千斤 [cheng4 tuo2 sui1 xiao3 ya1 qian1 jin1] /although small, a steelyard weight may tip a hundred pounds (成语 saw); apparently insignificant details can have a large impact/For want of nail the battle was lost./

- 稽古振今 稽古振今 [ji1 gu3 zhen4 jin1] /studying the old to promote the new (成语 saw)/

- 積不相能 积不相能 [ji1 bu4 xiang1 neng2] /always at loggerheads (成语 saw); never able to agree with sb/unable to get on with sb/

- 積勞成疾 积劳成疾 [ji1 lao2 cheng2 ji2] /accumulate work causes sickness (成语 saw); to fall ill from constant overwork/

- 積少成多 积少成多 [ji1 shao3 cheng2 duo1] /Many little things add up to sth great (成语 saw); many a mickle makes a muckle/

- 積惡餘殃 积恶余殃 [ji1 e4 yu2 yang1] /Accumulated evil will be repaid in suffering (成语 saw)./

- 積於忽微 积于忽微 [ji1 yu2 hu1 wei1] /to accumulate tiny quantities (成语 saw)/

- 積習難改 积习难改 [ji1 xi2 nan2 gai3] /old habits are hard to change (成语 saw); It is hard to throw off ingrained habits./

- 積重難返 积重难返 [ji1 zhong4 nan2 fan3] /ingrained habits are hard to overcome (成语 saw); bad old practices die hard/

- 積金累玉 积金累玉 [ji1 jin1 lei3 yu4] /to accumulate gold and jewels (成语 saw); prosperous/

- 積非成是 积非成是 [ji1 fei1 cheng2 shi4] /a wrong repeated becomes right (成语 saw); a lie or an error passed on for a long time may be taken for the truth/

- 穩坐釣魚臺 稳坐钓鱼台 [wen3 zuo4 diao4 yu2 tai2] /lit. sitting at ease in a fishing boat despite storms (成语 saw); to stay calm during tense situation/a cool head in a crisis/

- 穩操勝券 稳操胜券 [wen3 cao1 sheng4 quan4] /grasp it and victory is assured (成语 saw); to have success within one's grasp/to beat comfortably/

- 空中樓閣 空中楼阁 [kong1 zhong1 lou2 ge2] /pavilion in the air (成语 saw); unrealistic Utopian construction/castles in Spain/imaginary future plans/

- 空城計 空城计 [kong1 cheng2 ji4] /empty city strategy (成语 saw), cf Zhuge Liang 諸葛亮|诸葛亮 playing the guqin 古琴 zither over the open gate to his empty fort, fooling Sima Yi 司馬懿|司马懿 into suspecting an ambush; a bold front hides a weak defense/double bluff/

- 空室清野 空室清野 [kong1 shi4 qing1 ye3] /empty room, clean field (成语 saw); clean out everything to leave nothing for the enemy/scorched earth policy/

- 空洞無物 空洞无物 [kong1 dong4 wu2 wu4] /empty cave, nothing there (成语 saw); devoid of substance/nothing new to show/

- 空無所有 空无所有 [kong1 wu2 suo3 you3] /having nothing (成语 saw); utterly destitute/without two sticks to rub together/

- 空穴來風 空穴来风 [kong1 xue2 lai2 feng1] /wind from an empty cave (成语 saw); story without foundation/coming out of thin air/when negated: not baseless/not out of thin air/There is no smoke without fire./

- 空空如也 空空如也 [kong1 kong1 ru2 ye3] /as empty as anything (成语 saw); completely bereft/to have nothing/vacuous/hollow/empty (argument, head etc)/

- 空谷足音 空谷足音 [kong1 gu3 zu2 yin1] /sound of footsteps in an empty valley (成语 saw); a rare occurrence/That's sth you don't often hear!/

- 穿針引線 穿针引线 [chuan1 zhen1 yin3 xian4] /lit. a leading-line to thread a needle (成语 saw); fig. a go-between/

- 穿鑿附會 穿凿附会 [chuan1 zao2 fu4 hui4] /to give a forced interpretation (成语 saw); draw far-fetched analogies/

- 窗明幾淨 窗明几净 [chuang1 ming2 ji1 jing4] /lit. clear window and clean table (成语 saw); fig. bright and clean/

- 窮山惡水 穷山恶水 [qiong2 shan1 e4 shui3] /barren hills and treacherous rapids (成语 saw); inhospitable natural environment/

- 窮當益堅 穷当益坚 [qiong2 dang1 yi4 jian1] /poor but ambitious (成语 saw); hard-pressed but determined/the worse one's position, the harder one must fight back/

- 窮當益堅，老當益壯 穷当益坚，老当益壮 [qiong2 dang1 yi4 jian1 , lao3 dang1 yi4 zhuang4] /poor but ambition, old but vigorous (成语 saw); robust and determined to hold one's position despite poverty and old age/

- 窮途末路 穷途末路 [qiong2 tu2 mo4 lu4] /lit. the path exhausted, the end of the road (成语 saw); an impasse/in a plight with no way out/things have reached a dead end/

- 窺豹一斑 窥豹一斑 [kui1 bao4 yi1 ban1] /lit. see one spot on a leopard (成语 saw); fig. a restricted view/

- 立地成佛 立地成佛 [li4 di4 cheng2 fo2] /to become a Buddha on the spot (成语 saw); instant rehabilitation/to repent and be absolved of one's crimes/

- 立杆見影 立杆见影 [li4 gan1 jian4 ying3] /lit. put up a pole and see the shadow (成语 saw); to expect instant results/

- 立竿見影 立竿见影 [li4 gan1 jian4 ying3] /lit. set up a pole and see the shadow (成语 saw); fig. instant effect/quick results/

- 章甫薦履 章甫荐履 [zhang1 fu3 jian4 lu:3] /court crown beneath straw shoe (成语 saw); everything turned upside-down/

- 童叟無欺 童叟无欺 [tong2 sou3 wu2 qi1] /cheating neither old nor young (成语 saw); treating youngsters and old folk equally scrupulously/Our house offers sincere treatment to all and fair trade to old and young alike./

- 竭盡全力 竭尽全力 [jie2 jin4 quan2 li4] /to spare no effort (成语 saw); to do one's utmost/

- 笑容可掬 笑容可掬 [xiao4 rong2 ke3 ju1] /smiling wholeheartedly (成语 saw); beaming from ear to ear/

- 笑裡藏刀 笑里藏刀 [xiao4 li3 cang2 dao1] /lit. a dagger hidden in smiles (成语 saw); friendly manners belying hypocritical intentions/when the fox preaches, look to the geese/

- 笑逐顏開 笑逐颜开 [xiao4 zhu2 yan2 kai1] /smile spread across the face (成语 saw); beaming with pleasure/all smiles/joy written across one's face/

- 笨鳥先飛 笨鸟先飞 [ben4 niao3 xian1 fei1] /lit. the clumsy bird flies early (成语 saw); fig. to work hard to compensate for one's limited abilities/

- 筋疲力盡 筋疲力尽 [jin1 pi2 li4 jin4] /body weary, strength exhausted (成语 saw); extremely tired/spent/

- 管中窺豹 管中窥豹 [guan3 zhong1 kui1 bao4] /lit. to see a leopard through a narrow tube (成语 saw); fig. to miss the big picture/

- 節上生枝 节上生枝 [jie2 shang4 sheng1 zhi1] /a new branch grows out of a knot (成语 saw); fig. side issues keep arising/

- 節外生枝 节外生枝 [jie2 wai4 sheng1 zhi1] /a new branch grows out of a knot (成语 saw); fig. side issues keep arising/

- 節衣縮食 节衣缩食 [jie2 yi1 suo1 shi2] /to save on food and clothing (成语 saw); to live frugally/

- 築室道謀 筑室道谋 [zhu4 shi4 dao4 mou2] /lit. ask passers-by how to build one's house (成语 saw); fig. to have no idea what to do/without a clue/

- 篳門閨竇 筚门闺窦 [bi4 men2 gui1 dou4] /wicker door, hole window (成语 saw); fig. wretched hovel/living in poverty/

- 籠鳥檻猿 笼鸟槛猿 [long2 niao3 jian4 yuan2] /bird in a basket, monkey in a cage (成语 saw); prisoner/

- 粉墨登場 粉墨登场 [fen3 mo4 deng1 chang3] /to make up and go on stage (成语 saw); to embark on a career (esp. in politics or crime)/

- 粗製濫造 粗制滥造 [cu1 zhi4 lan4 zao4] /to churn out large quantities without regard for quality (成语 saw); rough and slipshod work/

- 粘皮帶骨 粘皮带骨 [nian2 pi2 dai4 gu3] /to glue skin and bind the bones (成语 saw); insistent unrelenting conduct/

- 粘皮著骨 粘皮著骨 [nian2 pi2 zhu4 gu3] /to glue skin and bind the bones (成语 saw); insistent unrelenting conduct/

- 精彫細刻 精彫細刻 [jing1 diao1 xi4 ke4] /lit. fine sculpting (成语 saw); fig. to work with extreme care and precision/also written 精雕細刻|精雕细刻/

- 精明強幹 精明强干 [jing1 ming2 qiang2 gan4] /intelligent and capable (成语 saw)/

- 精疲力盡 精疲力尽 [jing1 pi2 li4 jin4] /spirit weary, strength exhausted (成语 saw); spent/drained/washed out/

- 精疲力竭 精疲力竭 [jing1 pi2 li4 jie2] /spirit weary, strength exhausted (成语 saw); spent/drained/washed out/

- 精益求精 精益求精 [jing1 yi4 qiu2 jing1] /to perfect sth that is already outstanding (成语 saw); constantly improving/

- 精神抖擻 精神抖擞 [jing1 shen2 dou3 sou3] /spirit trembling with excitement (成语 saw); in high spirits/lively and full of enthusiasm/full of energy/con brio/

- 精神滿腹 精神满腹 [jing1 shen2 man3 fu4] /full of wisdom (成语 saw); astute and widely experienced/

- 精神煥發 精神焕发 [jing1 shen2 huan4 fa1] /in high spirits (成语 saw); glowing with health and vigor/

- 精神百倍 精神百倍 [jing1 shen2 bai3 bei4] /lit. vitality a hundredfold (成语 saw); refreshed/one's vigor thoroughly restored/

- 精神飽滿 精神饱满 [jing1 shen2 bao3 man3] /full of vigor (成语 saw)/lively/in high spirits/

- 精衛填海 精卫填海 [Jing1 wei4 tian2 hai3] /lit. mythical bird Jingwei tries to fill the ocean with stones (成语 saw); futile ambition/task of Sisyphus/determination in the face of impossible odds/

- 精誠所加，金石為開 精诚所加，金石为开 [jing1 cheng2 suo3 jia1 , jin1 shi2 wei4 kai1] /lit. sincerity splits open metal and metal (成语 saw); if you put your heart to it, you can break up metal and rocks/With a will, you can achieve anything./

- 精誠所至 精诚所至 [jing1 cheng2 suo3 zhi4] /with a will, you can achieve anything (成语 saw); cf 精誠所至,金石為開|精诚所至,金石为开/

- 精誠所至，金石為開 精诚所至，金石为开 [jing1 cheng2 suo3 zhi4 , jin1 shi2 wei4 kai1] /lit. sincerity splits open metal and metal (成语 saw); if you put your heart to it, you can break up metal and rocks/With a will, you can achieve anything./

- 精雕細刻 精雕细刻 [jing1 diao1 xi4 ke4] /lit. fine sculpting (成语 saw); fig. to work with extreme care and precision/

- 約定俗成 约定俗成 [yue1 ding4 su2 cheng2] /established by popular usage (成语 saw); common usage agreement/customary convention/