Chinese Idiom: 七擒七纵 (Qi Qin Qi Zong) English Translation: Seven Captures and Seven Releases pīn yīn: qī qín qī zòng Idiom Meaning: Refers to using strategies effectively to make the opponent fully submit and surrender willingly. Historical Source: Records of the Three Kingdoms · Shu Book · Biography of Zhuge Liang. Idiom Story: In 225 […]
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Chinese Idiom: 一误再误 (Yi Wu Zai Wu) English Translation: Repeated Mistakes pīn yīn: yī wù zài wù Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to making a mistake once and, without learning from it, making the same mistake again. “误” means error. Historical Source: “History of the Song Dynasty · Biography of Prince Wei, Tingmei.” Idiom Story:
Chinese Idiom: 一败涂地 (Yi Bai Tu Di) English Translation: Complete Defeat pīn yīn: yī bài tú dì Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to a situation where something fails to the extent that it is beyond redemption. “一” (one) means once, and “涂地” (smeared all over the ground) refers to a situation where one’s guts and
Chinese Idiom: 一网打尽 (Yi Wang Da Jin) English Translation: Capture Them All in One Net pīn yīn: yī wǎng dǎ jìn Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe catching or eliminating everything or everyone in one go. Historical Source: Zuo Zhuan, “The Sixth Year of Duke Hui.” Idiom Story: In the State of Jin,
Chinese Idiom: 一发千钧 (Yi Fa Qian Jun) English Translation: A Hair’s Weight of a Thousand Jins pīn yīn: yī fà qiān jūn Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe an extremely perilous situation or a highly critical moment. “发” refers to a single hair, and “钧” is an ancient Chinese unit of weight, with
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Chinese Idiom: 一落千丈 (Yi Luo Qian Zhang) English Translation: Plummeting Thousands of Feet pīn yīn: yī luò qiān zhàng Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a rapid and significant decline in status, position, reputation, or circumstances. Historical Source: Tang Dynasty, Han Yu’s poem “Listening to Master Ying Play the Qin.” Idiom Story: During
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Chinese Idiom: 一叶障目 (Yi Ye Zhang Mu) English Translation: A Leaf Blinds the Eye pīn yīn: yī yè zhàng mù Idiom Meaning: This idiom means being so focused on a small detail or a part of something that you lose sight of the bigger picture. “障” means to cover or block. Historical Source: “Juan Guan
Chinese Idiom: 一举两得 (Yi Ju Liang De) English Translation: Killing Two Birds with One Stone pīn yīn: yī jǔ liǎng dé Idiom Meaning: This idiom means that by doing one thing, you can achieve two beneficial outcomes. “举” means action or move; “得” means benefit or gain. Historical Source: “Records of the Grand Historian ·
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Chinese Idiom: 一筹莫展 (Yi Chou Mo Zhan) English Translation: No Way Out pīn yīn: yī chóu mò zhǎn Idiom Meaning: It refers to being at one’s wit’s end, unable to come up with any solution. “筹” refers to a tally or counter, and in this context, it signifies a plan or strategy; “莫” means not
Chinese Idiom: 一鼓作气 (Yi Gu Zuo Qi) English Translation: One Drumbeat to Boost Morale pīn yīn: yī gǔ zuò qì Idiom Meaning: It means to muster all one’s energy and courage to accomplish something in one go. “鼓” refers to the beating of war drums, “作” signifies invigorating or rallying, and “气” is the spirit
