idioms

Question 1

画蛇添足

Answer 1

Translation - Draw the snake by adding feet

Explanation - Ruin the effect by adding something superfluous

Question 2

坐井观天

Answer 2

Translation - Look at the sky from the bottom of a well

Explanation - Have a restricted outlook

Question 3

拔苗助长

Answer 3

Translation - Pull up the seedlings to help them grow higher

Explanation - Spoil things because of a desire for quick success

Question 4

对牛弹琴

Answer 4

Translation - Play the lute to a cow

Explanation - Address the wrong audience

Question 5

纸上谈兵

Answer 5

Translation - Discuss military tactic on paper

Explanation - To have unrealistic ideals

Question 6

自相矛盾

Answer 6

Translation - Beat oneself with one’s own spear and shield

Explanation - Self-contradictory

Question 7

入乡随俗

Answer 7

Translation - When you enter a village, follow the local customs

Explanation - do as the natives do

Question 8

覆水难收

Answer 8

Translation - Water poured out is hard to put back

Explanation - what is done can not be undone

Question 9

唇亡齿寒

Answer 9

Translation - the teeth will feel cold if the lips are gone

Explanation - The first can not survive with out the other/ to share the same fate

Question 10

如鱼得水

Answer 10

Translation - feel like a fish in water

Explanation - In agreeable circumstances

Question 11

青出于蓝

Answer 11

Translation - Indigo came from blue, but is prettier than blue

Explanation - the student surpasses the master

Question 12

亡羊补牢

Answer 12

Translation - To mend the sheepfold after a sheep is lost

Explanation - To take action after suffering a loss (to prevent future loss)

Question 13

饮水思源

Answer 13

Translation - When one drinks water, think of its source

Explanation - Don’t forget where ones happiness comes from

Question 14

打草惊蛇

Answer 14

Translation - Beat the grass to scare the snake

Explanation - Act rashly and alert the enemy

Question 15

四海为家

Answer 15

Translation - regards all four corners of the world all as home

Explanation - To feel at home anywhere

Question 16

骑虎难下

Answer 16

Translation - if you ride a tiger, it’s hard to dismount

Explanation - impossible to stop halfway

Question 17

塞翁失马

Answer 17

Translation - The old frontiersman lost his mare

Explanation - a blessing in disguise

Question 18

闻鸡起舞

Answer 18

Translation - rise up upon hearing the crow of a rooster and practise the sword

Explanation - to be diligent and self-disciplined in one’s studies

Question 19

愚公移山

Answer 19

Translation - the foolish old man removes the mountains

Explanation - where there’s a will, there’s a way

Question 20

过目不忘

Answer 20

Translation - remember after one reading

Explanation -Have a highly retentive memory

Question 21

水落石出

Answer 21

Translation - when the water recedes, the roots emerge

Explanation - the truth comes to light

Question 22

草船借箭

Answer 22

Translation - using straw boats to borrow arrows

Explanation - To use others’ manpower and resources for one’s own ends

Question 23

步步为营

Answer 23

Translation - To advance gradually and entrench oneself at every step

Explanation - To consolidate at every step

Question 24

草木皆兵

Answer 24

Translation - Every bush and tree looks like an enemy soldier

Explanation - a state of extreme suspicion and fear

Question 25

鸟语花香

Answer 25

Translation - birds sing and flowers bloom incense

Explanation - describes the beautiful scene of spring