| Entry | Pinyin | Meaning | Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| 乘风破浪 | chéng fēng pò làng |
Refers to someone with great ambition, or someone who takes action without fear of hardship. Also indicates that things develop very rapidly |
North and Southern Dynasties |
| 后顾之忧 | hòu gù zhī yōu |
This refers to anxiety that one may feel about something at home or something that is physically behind them (such as an attack) |
North and Southern Dynasties |
| 江郎才尽 | jiāng láng cái jìn |
This is used to indicate that one's intellect or ability has faded |
North and Southern Dynasties |
| 破镜重圆 | pò jìng chóng yuán |
To rekindle a relationship after separation (of a married couple) |
North and Southern Dynasties |
| 画龙点睛 | huà lóng diǎn jīng |
To add detail that drives home a point or brings a piece of work to life. Generally refers to artwork, speeches, and writings. |
Liang Dynasty |
| 飞蛾扑火 | fēi é pū huǒ |
Used in situations where someone is digging their own grave or causing their own ruin |
Liang Dynasty |
| 一字之师 | yī zì zhī shī |
Often used to refer to someone who excels at correcting or improving written works |
Tang Dynasty |
| 千里送鹅毛 | qiān lǐ sòng é máo |
Refers to a gift that has deep meaning despite not inherently being valuable or significant |
Tang Dynasty |
| 南柯一梦 | nán kē yī mèng |
An grandiose illusion or dream; also refers to how something can suddenly turn to ruin |
Tang Dynasty |
| 双管齐下 | shuāng guǎn qí xià |
To simultaneously approach a task from two directions |
Tang Dynasty |
| 口蜜腹剑 | kǒu mì fù jiàn |
Describes a person who appears friendly and talks kindly, but who in reality is actually treacherous |
Tang Dynasty |
| 司空见惯 | sī kōng jiàn guàn |
A common occurrence; commonly seen |
Tang Dynasty |
| 庸人自扰 | yōng rén zì rǎo |
To think a small issue much bigger than it actually is and end up creating trouble for oneself |
Tang Dynasty |
| 打草惊蛇 | dǎ cǎo jīng shé |
To inadvertently alert an enemy due to one's own conspicuous actions |
Tang Dynasty |
| 抛砖引玉 | pāo zhuān yǐn yù |
To voice one's shallow or poorly-formed ideas to encourage others to voice their more valuable and better-formed ideas |
Tang Dynasty |
| 班门弄斧 | bān mén nòng fǔ |
When someone incompetent or unskilled overestimates their abilities and "shows off" to someone who actually is skilled |
Tang Dynasty |
| 瓜田李下 | guā tián lǐ xià |
Refers to a situation or behavior that quickly draws suspicion; unintentionally suspicious behavior |
Tang Dynasty |
| 走马看花 | zǒu mǎ kàn huā |
To observe something without noticing the minute details; to hastily look at something and only gain a cursory or rough understanding of it |
Tang Dynasty |
| 铁杵成针 | tiě chǔ chéng zhēn |
When doing a task, all you need to do is persevere, and success will come naturally |
Tang Dynasty |
| 凤毛麟角 | fèng máo lín jiǎo |
Extremely rare and scarce |
Song Dynasty |
| 小心翼翼 | xiǎo xīn yì yì |
To do with extreme caution |
Song Dynasty |
| 柳暗花明 | liǔ àn huā míng |
To experience a positive turn of events when one is in the middle of a crisis or struggle. Also can describe beautiful scenery |
Song Dynasty |
| 水滴石穿 | shuǐ dī shí chuān |
Indicates that small efforts can achieve great results if expended continuously over a long period of time |
Song Dynasty |
| 水落石出 | shuǐ luò shí chū |
When the truth surrounding something comes to light |
Song Dynasty |
| 熟能生巧 | shú néng shēng qiǎo |
This indicates that practice makes perfect or leads to great technique |
Song Dynasty |