221-250

Question 1

一暴十寒

Answer 1

Sun for one day and chill for ten days—work hard for one day and do nothing for ten; work by fits and starts.

Question 2

一视同仁

Answer 2

Treat equally without discrimination.

Question 3

一意孤行

Answer 3

Cling obstinately to one’s course; insist on doing things in one’s own way.

Question 4

一针见血

Answer 4

Let blood with a single prick (of the needle)一 pierce to the truth with a single pertinent remark; hit the nail on the head.

Question 5

以卵击石

Answer 5

Throw an egg against a rock—court defeat by fighting against overwhelming odds; fight a hopeless battle.

Question 6

以身作则

Answer 6

Set an example with one’s own conduct; lead by example.

Question 7

以牙还牙

Answer 7

A tooth for a tooth. (An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.)

Question 8

因材施教

Answer 8

Teach students in accordance with their aptitude; modify one’s way of teaching to suit the special requirements of each class; offer an
individualized quality education for every student.

Question 9

饮水思源

Answer 9

When drinking water, think of its source—bear in mind where one’s happiness comes from.

Question 10

迎刃而解

Answer 10

Problems can be readily solved as a bamboo is split all the way down once it has been chopped open— (of a problem) be readily solved.

Question 11

应接不暇

Answer 11

Be too busy to attend to all.

Question 12

与虎谋皮

Answer 12

ask a tiger for its skin—expect somebody (usually an evil person) to act against his own interests.

Question 13

与日俱增

Answer 13

Grow with each passing day.

Question 14

缘木求鱼

Answer 14

Climb a tree to catch a fish–do things by the wrong methods.

Question 15

约法三章

Answer 15

Agree on a three-point-law—make certain rules to be observed by all concerned.

Question 16

再接再厉

Answer 16

Make persistent efforts; continue to exert oneself.

Question 17

真知灼见

Answer 17

Real knowledge and profound insight; correct and penetrating views.

Question 18

蒸蒸日上

Answer 18

Becoming more prosperous every day.

Question 19

执迷不悟

Answer 19

Obstinately stick to a wrong course; refuse to come to one’s senses.

Question 20

纸上谈兵

Answer 20

Fight only on paper; be an armchair strategist—engage in idle theorizing.

Question 21

志同道合

Answer 21

Cherish the same ideals and follow the same path; have a common goal.

Question 22

志在四方

Answer 22

Ready to offer one’s services wherever they are needed (rather than just stay in one’s hometown).

Question 23

州官放火

Answer 23

The magistrates are free to set fire.— a tyrant boss or leader can do whatever he likes, but the common people are not allowed the slightest bit of freedom.

Question 24

装聋作哑

Answer 24

Pretend to be deaf and dumb—pretend not to know.

Question 25

自暴自弃

Answer 25

Give oneself up as hopeless; have no urge to make progress.

Question 26

自食其力

Answer 26

Support oneself by one's own labour; make a living for oneself.

Question 27

自投罗网

Answer 27

Cast oneself into the net; walk right into the trap.

Question 28

自相矛盾

Answer 28

Contradict oneself; be self-contradictory; argue against oneself.

Question 29

作壁上观

Answer 29

Watch the fighting from the ramparts—sit by and watch; be an onlooker.

Question 30

坐享其成

Answer 30

Sit idle and enjoy the fruits of other's work; reap where one has not sown.