Chinese Idioms Blog

bié jù yī gé

Have unique style; be distinctive

bù bù gāo shēng

Advance steadily; continuous promotion

bù yuǎn qiān lǐ

Willingly travel far; make great efforts

bá shān shè shuǐ

Travel through hardship; overcome obstacles

bái tóu xié lǎo

Grow old together; lifelong partnership

biǎo lǐ rú yī

Be consistent inside and out

bào cán shǒu quē

Cling to the old and outdated; resist progress

bù qiú shèn jiě

Content with superficial understanding

bǎi wú liáo lài

Utterly bored; at loose ends

bù yóu zì zhǔ

Involuntarily; can't help but

bù gōng zì pò

Collapse without being attacked; self-defeating

bù kě kāi jiāo

Extremely busy; inextricably involved

chū shén rù huà

Reach supernatural skill level

chéng zhú zài xiōng

Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident

chūn fēng mǎn miàn

Look happy and content

cóng shàn rú liú

Readily accept good advice

chóu méi kǔ liǎn

Look worried and unhappy

cè yǐn zhī xīn

Compassion; empathy for others

chuān liú bù xī

Continuous flow; never-ending stream

chù mù jīng xīn

Shocking; deeply disturbing

cùn bù nán xíng

Unable to move forward at all

cháng nián lěi yuè

Over a long period of time

chéng shàng qǐ xià

Serve as a link between preceding and following

chù jǐng shēng qíng

Moved by the sight of something familiar

dú jù jiàng xīn

Show great ingenuity; have original design

dú shù yī zhì

Be unique; have distinctive style

dú zhàn áo tóu

Come first; win top honors

dé xīn yìng shǒu

Work with great ease; have complete mastery

dé yì wàng xíng

Become carried away by success

dà cái xiǎo yòng

Waste talent on menial tasks

dāng jī lì duàn

Make a prompt decision

dà xiāng jìng tíng

Vastly different; poles apart

dà jīng xiǎo guài

Make a fuss about nothing

dú yī wú èr

One of a kind; unique

dú dāng yī miàn

Capable of taking charge independently

dà xiǎn shēn shǒu

To show off one's abilities

fú yáo zhí shàng

Rise rapidly; soar straight up

fēi huáng téng dá

Rise to fame and fortune rapidly

fān shān yuè lǐng

Cross difficult terrain; overcome major obstacles

fēng cān lù sù

Endure hardships of travel; rough it

fù tāng dǎo huǒ

Go through fire and water; brave any danger

fēng mǐ yī shí

Extremely popular for a time

fēng hé rì lì

Perfect weather; favorable conditions

fù jīng qǐng zuì

Sincerely admit fault and accept consequences

fēng tǔ rén qíng

Local customs and cultural characteristics

fēng chuī cǎo dòng

React to slightest hint of change or activity

fēi qín zǒu shòu

All varieties of wildlife in nature

fèi qǐn wàng shí

So absorbed as to neglect basic needs

gōng chéng shēn tuì

Retire after achieving success

gōng chéng míng jiù

Achieve success and fame

gōng wú bù kè

Win every battle; never fail in attacks

guó tài mín ān

National peace and public security

gù tǔ nán lí

Hard to leave one's homeland

gān dǎn xiāng zhào

Share complete trust and loyalty

gū míng diào yù

Seek fame through calculated actions

gù bù zì fēng

Be complacent; refuse to improve

gè yǒu suǒ cháng

Everyone has their own strengths

gè xiǎn shén tōng

Each shows their special skills

guāng míng lěi luò

Upright and open; above board

guī gēn dào dǐ

Fundamentally or in the final analysis

hún qiān mèng yíng

Yearn day and night

hǎi kū shí làn

Until the end of time; eternal love

huì rén bù juàn

Teach with tireless patience

huò rán kāi lǎng

Suddenly see the light; become clear

huǎng rú gé shì

Feeling as if ages have passed

huàn dé huàn shī

Constantly anxious about gains and losses

huà dì wéi láo

Self-imposed restrictions; limiting oneself

hòu lái jū shàng

Latecomers surpass the early starters

huǒ mào sān zhàng

Explode in extreme anger or rage

huì mò rú shēn

Maintain absolute silence about sensitive matter

huǎng rán dà wù

Sudden complete understanding after confusion

hǔ tóu shé wěi

Strong start with weak finish

jiàng xīn dú yùn

Apply creative genius; show ingenuity

jià qīng jiù shú

Be very familiar with; handle with expertise

jiàn hǎo jiù shōu

Quit while ahead; take profits

jí liú yǒng tuì

Retire at the peak; know when to quit

jí yú qiú chéng

Be impatient for success; rush things

jǔ àn qí méi

Married couple with great mutual respect

jīng dǎ xì suàn

Calculate carefully; be frugal and precise

jū ān sī wēi

Be prepared for danger in times of safety

jǐng rán yǒu xù

In perfect order; well-organized

jīng tiān dòng dì

Earth-shaking; tremendous

jū gōng jìn cuì

Devote oneself completely; work until exhausted

jīn jīn yǒu wèi

With great interest and enjoyment

kāi chéng bù gōng

Be candid and fair

kǔ jìn gān lái

After hardship comes happiness

kè zhōu qiú jiàn

Using outdated methods foolishly

kǒu gān shé zào

Exhausted from excessive talking

kè gǔ míng xīn

Deeply and permanently affected

kǒu shì xīn fēi

Words differ from thoughts

kuā kuā qí tán

All talk no substance

kāi mén jiàn shān

Get straight to point

kǒu mì fù jiàn

Hide evil behind sweet words

lì jīng tú zhì

Work hard to improve governance

luò yè guī gēn

Return to one's roots; go back home

liàn liàn bù shě

Be deeply reluctant to leave

lì bīng mò mǎ

Make thorough preparations; get ready for action

lìng pì xī jìng

Find an alternative approach; think outside the box

lú huǒ chún qīng

Highest level of mastery; consummate skill

lǐ suǒ dāng rán

Naturally; as a matter of course

lái lóng qù mài

The whole story; causes and effects

luò huā liú shuǐ

Utter defeat; scattered in disarray

lěng lěng qīng qīng

Deserted and lifeless atmosphere

luàn qī bā zāo

Complete disorganization and messiness

lè yú zhù rén

Find genuine pleasure in helping others

mì bù tòu fēng

Airtight; impenetrable

míng lì shuāng shōu

Gain both fame and fortune

mín fù guó qiáng

Prosperous people and powerful nation

mò nì zhī jiāo

Be bosom friends

méi kāi yǎn xiào

Be all smiles; radiate happiness

méi fēi sè wǔ

Be animated with excitement

mǎn zài ér guī

Return with rich rewards

mù zhōng wú rén

Extremely arrogant; look down on everyone

míng liè qián máo

Rank among the best; be at the top

mò mò wú wén

Unknown; working in obscurity

míng zhī gù fàn

Knowingly commit a violation

miào bǐ shēng huā

Exceptional literary or artistic talent

nán fēn nán shě

Be inseparable; hate to part

nù bù kě è

Be furious beyond control

nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō

Outsmart oneself; cleverness backfiring

nán yuán běi zhé

Actions contrary to one's goals

nán xiōng nán dì

Companions united through shared hardship

náng yíng yìng xuě

Study despite hardship

nì shuǐ xíng zhōu

Progress needs constant effort

píng bù qīng yún

Rise rapidly to high position

pī gān lì dǎn

Give one's all; be completely sincere

pò bù jí dài

Can't wait; eager

píng yì jìn rén

Approachable; easy to get along with

pò tiān huāng

For the first time ever; unprecedented

páo dīng jiě niú

Effortless skill through perfect practice

páng qiāo cè jī

Approach indirectly to achieve goal

pò zài méi jié

Extremely urgent

pī xīng dài yuè

Work day and night

pī jīng zhǎn jí

Overcome all obstacles

pī shā jiǎn jīn

Find value among worthless

pāo zhuān yǐn yù

Offer modest view to inspire better

qīng chē shú lù

Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity

qīng yún zhí shàng

Rise quickly to high position

qí kāi dé shèng

Win at the very start; immediate success

qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo

Travel a great distance

qíng tóu yì hé

Be perfectly compatible; hit it off

qiū háo wú fàn

Show strict discipline; not take anything

qián suǒ wèi yǒu

Unprecedented; never seen before

qià dào hǎo chù

Just right; perfectly appropriate

qīng ér yì jǔ

Easy; effortless

qiān biàn wàn huà

Ever-changing; constantly varying

qià rú qí fèn

Just right; perfectly appropriate

qī zuǐ bā shé

Everyone talking at once; lively discussion

rèn zhòng dào yuǎn

Heavy burden and long journey ahead

rú hǔ tiān yì

Add to one's strength; become even more powerful

rì xīn yuè yì

Changing rapidly; improving daily

rěn wú kě rěn

Beyond endurance; can't take it anymore

ruò wú qí shì

Act as if nothing happened

ruò yǒu suǒ sī

Lost in thought with a contemplative expression

rén shān rén hǎi

Vast crowds of people

rào liáng sān rì

Lasting impact of performance

rěn jùn bù jīn

Unable to hide amusement

rú lǚ báo bīng

Extreme caution in risky situations

rú zuì rú mèng

Entranced in dreamlike state

rù mù sān fēn

Profoundly penetrating insight

shì kě ér zhǐ

Stop at the right point; practice moderation

suǒ xiàng wú dí

Be invincible; have no rivals

suǒ xiàng pī mǐ

Be invincible; defeat all opponents

shì zài bì xíng

Be imperative; must be done

shèng quàn zài wò

Have victory assured; be confident of winning

sǐ ér hòu yǐ

Continue until death; lifelong commitment

sì hǎi shēng píng

Peace everywhere; universal harmony

shēng dōng jī xī

Create a diversion; use misdirection

shēn lín qí jìng

Feel as if personally present

shǒu zú wú cuò

At a loss; flustered

shú néng shēng qiǎo

Practice makes perfect

shùn qí zì rán

Let nature take its course

tiān luó dì wǎng

Inescapable net; dragnet

tài píng shèng shì

Golden age of peace and prosperity

tuī xīn zhì fù

Speak from the heart; confide completely

tǎn tǎn dàng dàng

Live openly with clear conscience

táo lǐ mǎn mén

Have many successful students

tǎn tè bù ān

Feel anxious and uneasy

tuō yǐng ér chū

Stand out; distinguish oneself

tóng bìng xiāng lián

Sympathize with those sharing similar troubles

tòng gǎi qián fēi

Sincerely repent and reform

tài shān yā dǐng

Overwhelming pressure; imminent disaster

tāo tāo bù jué

Talk endlessly; speak at great length

tiě zhèng rú shān

Irrefutable evidence; conclusive proof

wàn wú yī shī

Absolutely sure; foolproof

wěn cāo shèng quàn

Have victory in the bag; be certain to win

wěn zhā wěn dǎ

Proceed steadily; consolidate before advancing

wěn jǐng zhī jiāo

Be sworn friends; absolute loyalty

wén guò zé xǐ

Welcome criticism; embrace feedback

wàng zì zūn dà

Be conceited; have an inflated ego

wéi wèi jiù zhào

Relieve pressure by attacking the source

wàng zì fěi bó

Underestimate oneself; excessive self-deprecation

wēi bù zú dào

Insignificant; not worth mentioning

wú dì zì róng

Extremely ashamed; wish to disappear

wú wēi bù zhì

Meticulous; attentive to every detail

wú xiè kě jī

Flawless; beyond criticism

xiāng jìng rú bīn

Treat each other with respect

xiāng rú yǐ mò

Help each other in adversity

xún xún shàn yòu

Guide patiently and methodically

xǐ xiào yán kāi

Be beaming with joy

xǐ nù wú cháng

Be moody; have unpredictable emotions

xīn ān lǐ dé

Feel at ease with a clear conscience

xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn

Regret not meeting sooner; instant rapport

xīn xīn xiāng yìn

Perfect mutual understanding; hearts in harmony

xīn xīn xiàng róng

Thriving; flourishing

xìn kǒu kāi hé

Talk irresponsibly; make things up

xuě shàng jiā shuāng

Add insult to injury; make things worse

xǐ wén lè jiàn

Enjoyed by all; universally popular

yóu rèn yǒu yú

Handle with ease; have skill to spare

yù sù bù dá

Haste makes waste; more haste less speed

yī jiàn zhōng qíng

Love at first sight

yī yán jì chū

A promise once made must be kept

yán chuán shēn jiào

Teach by word and deed

yǒu jiào wú lèi

Education for all without discrimination

yīn cái shī jiào

Adapt teaching to student abilities

yí zhǐ qì shǐ

Be domineering and arrogant

yù qín gù zòng

Give slack before tightening; let go to catch

yǐ tuì wéi jìn

Strategic retreat for ultimate victory

yī xiāng qíng yuàn

Wishful thinking; one-sided assumption

yī mù liǎo rán

Clear at a glance; obvious

zhàn wú bù shèng

Win every battle; be undefeated

zhāo sī mù xiǎng

Think about constantly; yearn for

zhì tóng dào hé

Share the same goals and values

zī zī bù juàn

Work tirelessly and diligently

zhǐ gāo qì yáng

Strut arrogantly; be conceited

zhòng shǐ zhī dì

Target of public criticism

zì shí qí guǒ

Reap what one sows; suffer consequences

zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu

Hard-pressed; financially stretched

zhēng lùn bù xiū

Argue endlessly without resolution

zì gào fèn yǒng

Volunteer bravely; step forward willingly

zuǒ yòu wéi nán

In a dilemma; caught between difficulties

zuò lì bù ān

Extremely restless and anxious

àn bù jiù bān

Follow established procedures; step by step

àn tú suǒ jì

Rigidly following outdated methods

àn jiàn shāng rén

Covert attacks avoiding direct confrontation

ài máo fǎn qiú

Honor one's teachers or humble origins

ài bù shì shǒu

Cherish something too much to put it down

àn dù chén cāng

Achieve secretly through misdirection

ài wū jí wū

Love extends to all connections

áng shǒu tǐng xiōng

Walk proudly; show confidence

è guàn mǎn yíng

Accumulated evil deeds ripe for punishment

ān tǔ zhòng qiān

Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate

ān rú tài shān

Absolutely stable and unshakable

ān rán wú yàng

Completely safe and unharmed through danger

ān jū lè yè

Live peacefully and work happily

ān bù dāng chē

Choose simpler pleasures over status displays

ěr mù yī xīn

A refreshing new experience

ěr rú mù rǎn

Learning unconsciously through constant exposure

ǒu xīn lì xuè

Invest utmost effort and emotion