Chinese idioms Flashcards
落花流水
Completely defeated
门可罗雀
One can catch sparrows on the door steps of a house where visitors are few and far between; deserted
面目全非
Be changed or distorted beyond recognition
名列前茅
Be ahead of all others; be among the best of the candidates
名落孙山
Fail in a competitive examination
墨守成规
Stick to conventions
目空一切
Consider everybody and everything beneath one’s notice; so arrogant
逆水行舟
Sail against the current
宁死不屈
Rather die than submit
拍案叫绝
Thump the table and shout “bravo”; show of approval
破釜沉舟
Not to give a thought to giving up
潜移默化
To changed and influence gradually over a period of time
青红皂白
Right and wrong
情同手足
With brotherly love for each other
人云亦云
Echo the views of others
山穷水尽疑无路，柳暗花明又一村
Where the mountains and the rivers end –the end of one’s rope; dense willow trees and bright flowers-feel hopeful in predicament
山雨欲来风满楼
The rising wind forebodes the coming storm; the wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountain; tides of change
识时务者为俊杰
Whosoever understands the times is a great man
十年河东，十年河西
Great changes are seen in the course of time
人无远虑，必有近忧
A man has no worry for future must have near troubles. A danger foreseen is half avoided
