Chengyu — D 242 idioms

• 打抱不平 dǎ bào bù píng ㄉㄚˇ ㄅㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄥˊ daa2 pou5 bat1 ping4 (idiom) to aid sb suffering an injustice; to fight for justice +
• 大包大揽大包大攬 dà bāo dà lǎn ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄠ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄢˇ daai6 baau1 daai6 laam5 to take complete charge (idiom) +
• 大材小用 dà cái xiǎo yòng ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄞˊ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄩㄥˋ daai6 coi4 siu2 jung6 (idiom) to use a talented person in a role far beneath their ability; a waste of talent +
• 打草惊蛇打草驚蛇 dǎ cǎo jīng shé ㄉㄚˇ ㄘㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄜˊ daa2 cou2 geng1 se4 lit. beat the grass to scare the snake (idiom); fig. to inadvertently alert an enemy; to punish sb as a warning to others +
• 大吵大闹大吵大鬧 dà chǎo dà nào ㄉㄚˋ ㄔㄠˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄋㄠˋ daai6 caau2 daai6 naau6 to shout and scream (idiom); to kick up a fuss; to make a scene +
• 打成一片 dǎ chéng yī piàn ㄉㄚˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧ ㄆㄧㄢˋ daa2 sing4 jat1 pin3 (idiom) to become as one (with a particular group of people); to mix well; to bond +
• 大吃一惊大吃一驚 dà chī yī jīng ㄉㄚˋ ㄔ ㄧ ㄐㄧㄥ daai6 hek3 jat1 geng1 (idiom) astounded; flabbergasted; taken aback +
• 大错特错大錯特錯 dà cuò tè cuò ㄉㄚˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄜˋ ㄘㄨㄛˋ daai6 co3 dak6 co3 to be gravely mistaken (idiom) +
• 大大咧咧 dà dà liē liē ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄝ ㄌㄧㄝ daai6 daai6 le4 le4 (idiom) carefree; offhand; casual +
• 打得火热打得火熱 dǎ de huǒ rè ㄉㄚˇ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄖㄜˋ daa2 dak1 fo2 jit6 (idiom) to be on very good terms with each other; to hit it off with sb; to be passionately in love with each other; to carry on intimately with; (of trading, conflict etc) to be in full swing +
• 大敌当前大敵當前 dà dí dāng qián ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄧˊ ㄉㄤ ㄑㄧㄢˊ daai6 dik6 dong1 cin4 (idiom) to be faced with a formidable enemy +
• 大动干戈大動干戈 dà dòng gān gē ㄉㄚˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄢ ㄍㄜ daai6 dung6 gon1 gwo1 lit. to go to war (idiom); fig. to make a big fuss over sth +
• 大而无当大而無當 dà ér wú dàng ㄉㄚˋ ㄦˊ ㄨˊ ㄉㄤˋ daai6 ji4 mou4 dong3 grandiose but impractical (idiom); large but of no real use +
• 大放悲声大放悲聲 dà fàng bēi shēng ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄤˋ ㄅㄟ ㄕㄥ daai6 fong3 bei1 sing1 to wail loudly and mournfully (idiom) +
• 大放厥词大放厥詞 dà fàng jué cí ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄤˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄘˊ to prattle on self-importantly (idiom) +
• 答非所问答非所問 dá fēi suǒ wèn ㄉㄚˊ ㄈㄟ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄨㄣˋ daap3 fei1 so2 man6 (idiom) to sidestep the question; to answer evasively +
• 打富济贫打富濟貧 dǎ fù jì pín ㄉㄚˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄆㄧㄣˊ daa2 fu3 zai3 pan4 to rob the rich to help the poor (idiom) +
• 大腹便便 dà fù pián pián ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄆㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄧㄢˊ daai6 fuk1 bin6 bin6 big-bellied (idiom); paunchy +
• 达官贵人達官貴人 dá guān guì rén ㄉㄚˊ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄍㄨㄟˋ ㄖㄣˊ daat6 gun1 gwai3 jan4 (idiom) high officials and noble lords; the powerful and influential +
• 大海捞针大海撈針 dà hǎi lāo zhēn ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄞˇ ㄌㄠ ㄓㄣ daai6 hoi2 laau4 zam1 lit. to fish a needle from the sea; to find a needle in a haystack (idiom) +
• 大喊大叫 dà hǎn dà jiào ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄢˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˋ daai6 haam3 daai6 giu3 shouting and screaming (idiom); to scream loudly; to rant; to kick up a racket; to conduct vigorous propaganda +
• 大惑不解 dà huò bù jiě ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄝˇ daai6 waak6 bat1 gaai2 to be at a loss (idiom) +
• 大获全胜大獲全勝 dà huò quán shèng ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄕㄥˋ daai6 wok6 cyun4 sing3 to seize total victory (idiom); an overwhelming victory; to win by a landslide (in election) +
• 代代相传代代相傳 dài dài xiāng chuán ㄉㄞˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄔㄨㄢˊ doi6 doi6 soeng1 cyun4 passed on from generation to generation (idiom); to hand down +
• 待价而沽待價而沽 dài jià ér gū ㄉㄞˋ ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨ doi6 gaa3 ji4 gu1 to sell only for a good price (idiom); to wait for a good offer +
• 带牛佩犊帶牛佩犢 dài niú pèi dú ㄉㄞˋ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄆㄟˋ ㄉㄨˊ daai3 ngau4 pui3 duk6 to abandon armed struggle and return to raising cattle (idiom) +
• 待人接物 dài rén jiē wù ㄉㄞˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄨˋ doi6 jan4 zip3 mat6 (idiom) to interact with people +
• 呆若木鸡呆若木雞 dāi ruò mù jī ㄉㄞ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄐㄧ ngoi4 joek6 muk6 gai1 lit. dumb as a wooden chicken (idiom); fig. dumbstruck +
• 打家劫舍 dǎ jiā jié shè ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄕㄜˋ daa2 gaa1 gip3 se3 to break into a house for robbery (idiom) +
• 大江南北 Dà jiāng nán běi ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄋㄢˊ ㄅㄟˇ daai6 gong1 naam4 bak1 north and south sides of the Yangtze River (idiom); (fig.) all over China +
• 大奸似忠大姦似忠 dà jiān sì zhōng ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄙˋ ㄓㄨㄥ daai6 gaan1 ci5 zung1 the most treacherous person appears the most guileless (idiom) +
• 打击报复打擊報復 dǎ jī bào fù ㄉㄚˇ ㄐㄧ ㄅㄠˋ ㄈㄨˋ daa1 gik1 bou3 fuk1 (idiom) to retaliate +
• 大吉大利 dà jí dà lì ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄧˋ daai6 gat1 daai6 lei6 great luck, great profit (idiom); everything is thriving +
• 大街小巷 dà jiē xiǎo xiàng ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄤˋ daai6 gaai1 siu2 hong6 great streets and small alleys (idiom); everywhere in the city +
• 大惊失色大驚失色 dà jīng shī sè ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕ ㄙㄜˋ daai6 geng1 sat1 sik1 to turn pale with fright (idiom) +
• 大惊小怪大驚小怪 dà jīng xiǎo guài ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄍㄨㄞˋ daai6 geng1 siu2 gwaai3 to make a fuss about nothing (idiom) +
• 大开大合大開大合 dà kāi dà hé ㄉㄚˋ ㄎㄞ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄜˊ daai6 hoi1 daai6 hap6 (idiom) epic in scope; wide-ranging +
• 大开眼界大開眼界 dà kāi yǎn jiè ㄉㄚˋ ㄎㄞ ㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄝˋ daai6 hoi1 ngaan5 gaai3 (idiom) to broaden one's horizons greatly +
• 大快朵颐大快朵頤 dà kuài duǒ yí ㄉㄚˋ ㄎㄨㄞˋ ㄉㄨㄛˇ ㄧˊ daai6 faai3 do2 ji4 (idiom) to eat with great relish; to feast on (sth) +
• 打落水狗 dǎ luò shuǐ gǒu ㄉㄚˇ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄍㄡˇ daa2 lok6 seoi2 gau2 lit. to beat a drowning dog (idiom); fig. to pulverize an (already defeated) enemy; to hit sb when he's down +
• 打马虎眼打馬虎眼 dǎ mǎ hu yǎn ㄉㄚˇ ㄇㄚˇ ˙ㄏㄨ ㄧㄢˇ daa2 maa1 fu1 ngaan5 to play dumb; to slack off (idiom) +
• 大鸣大放大鳴大放 dà míng dà fàng ㄉㄚˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄤˋ daai6 ming4 daai6 fong3 (idiom) to freely air one's views; to be heard far and wide; to attract a lot of attention +
• 大难临头大難臨頭 dà nàn lín tóu ㄉㄚˋ ㄋㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ daai6 naan4 lam4 tau4 to be facing imminent calamity (idiom); disaster is looming +
• 淡泊名利 dàn bó míng lì ㄉㄢˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧˋ daam6 bok6 ming4 lei6 not caring about fame and fortune (idiom); indifferent to worldly rewards +
• 淡泊明志 dàn bó míng zhì ㄉㄢˋ ㄅㄛˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓˋ daam6 bok6 ming4 zi3 living a simple life as one's ideal (idiom) +
• 单打独斗單打獨鬥 dān dǎ dú dòu ㄉㄢ ㄉㄚˇ ㄉㄨˊ ㄉㄡˋ daan1 daa2 duk6 dau3 to fight alone (idiom) +
• 单刀赴会單刀赴會 dān dāo fù huì ㄉㄢ ㄉㄠ ㄈㄨˋ ㄏㄨㄟˋ daan1 dou1 fu6 wui6 lit. to go among enemies with only one's sword (idiom); fig. to go alone into enemy lines +
• 单刀直入單刀直入 dān dāo zhí rù ㄉㄢ ㄉㄠ ㄓˊ ㄖㄨˋ daan1 dou1 zik6 jap6 (idiom) to get straight to the point +
• 单调乏味單調乏味 dān diào fá wèi ㄉㄢ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄈㄚˊ ㄨㄟˋ daan1 diu6 fat6 mei6 monotonous; dull; tedious (idiom) +
• 当断不断當斷不斷 dāng duàn bù duàn ㄉㄤ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ dong1 tyun5 bat1 tyun5 (idiom) to waver when decisiveness is needed +
• 当家作主當家作主 dāng jiā zuò zhǔ ㄉㄤ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄓㄨˇ dong1 gaa1 zok3 zyu2 to be in charge in one's own house (idiom); to be the master of one's own affairs +
• 当机立断當機立斷 dāng jī lì duàn ㄉㄤ ㄐㄧ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ dong1 gei1 laap6 dyun6 to make prompt decisions (idiom) +
• 当务之急當務之急 dāng wù zhī jí ㄉㄤ ㄨˋ ㄓ ㄐㄧˊ dong1 mou6 zi1 gap1 (idiom) top priority job; a matter of the greatest urgency +
• 当之无愧當之無愧 dāng zhī wú kuì ㄉㄤ ㄓ ㄨˊ ㄎㄨㄟˋ dong1 zi1 mou4 kwai3 fully deserving, without any reservations (idiom); entirely worthy (of a title, honor etc) +
• 殚精竭虑殫精竭慮 dān jīng jié lǜ ㄉㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄌㄩˋ to exhaust one's thoughts and ingenuity (idiom); to think sth through thoroughly; to rack one's brains; to leave no stone unturned +
• 殚精极虑殫精極慮 dān jīng jí lǜ ㄉㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄐㄧˊ ㄌㄩˋ to exhaust one's thoughts and ingenuity (idiom); to think sth through thoroughly; to rack one's brains; to leave no stone unturned +
• 担惊受怕擔驚受怕 dān jīng shòu pà ㄉㄢ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄡˋ ㄆㄚˋ daam1 geng1 sau6 paa3 (idiom) apprehensive; alarmed; anxious +
• 弹尽粮绝彈盡糧絕 dàn jìn liáng jué ㄉㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ daan2 zeon6 loeng4 zyut6 out of ammunition and no food left (idiom); in desperate straits +
• 弹尽援绝彈盡援絕 dàn jìn yuán jué ㄉㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄐㄩㄝˊ daan2 zeon6 wun4 zyut6 out of ammunition and no hope of reinforcements (idiom); in desperate straits +
• 单枪匹马單槍匹馬 dān qiāng pǐ mǎ ㄉㄢ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄆㄧˇ ㄇㄚˇ daan1 coeng1 pat1 maa5 lit. single spear and horse (idiom); fig. single-handed; unaccompanied +
• 单人匹马單人匹馬 dān rén pǐ mǎ ㄉㄢ ㄖㄣˊ ㄆㄧˇ ㄇㄚˇ daan1 jan4 pat1 maa5 single-handedly (idiom) +
• 箪食壶浆簞食壺漿 dān shí hú jiāng ㄉㄢ ㄕˊ ㄏㄨˊ ㄐㄧㄤ daan1 sik6 wu4 zoeng1 to receive troops with food and drink (idiom); to give troops a hearty welcome; also pr. [dan1 si4 hu2 jiang1] +
• 但说无妨但說無妨 dàn shuō wú fáng ㄉㄢˋ ㄕㄨㄛ ㄨˊ ㄈㄤˊ daan6 syut3 mou4 fong4 there is no harm in saying what one thinks (idiom) +
• 弹丸之地彈丸之地 dàn wán zhī dì ㄉㄢˋ ㄨㄢˊ ㄓ ㄉㄧˋ daan6 jyun2 zi1 dei6 (idiom) tiny speck of land; small area +
• 胆小如鼠膽小如鼠 dǎn xiǎo rú shǔ ㄉㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄨˇ daam2 siu2 jyu4 syu2 (idiom) chicken-hearted; gutless +
• 但愿如此但願如此 dàn yuàn rú cǐ ㄉㄢˋ ㄩㄢˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄘˇ daan6 jyun6 jyu4 ci2 if only it were so; I hope so (idiom) +
• 胆战心惊膽戰心驚 dǎn zhàn xīn jīng ㄉㄢˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄐㄧㄥ daam2 zin3 sam1 ging1 to tremble with fear (idiom); scared witless +
• 淡妆浓抹淡妝濃抹 dàn zhuāng nóng mǒ ㄉㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄤ ㄋㄨㄥˊ ㄇㄛˇ daam6 zong1 nung4 mut3 in light or heavy makeup (idiom) +
• 道不拾遗道不拾遺 dào bù shí yí ㄉㄠˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄧˊ dou6 bat1 sap6 wai4 lit. no one picks up lost articles in the street (idiom); fig. honesty prevails throughout society +
• 蹈常袭故蹈常襲故 dǎo cháng xí gù ㄉㄠˇ ㄔㄤˊ ㄒㄧˊ ㄍㄨˋ dou6 soeng4 zaap6 gu3 follow the same old path (idiom); stuck in a rut; always the same routine +
• 倒持泰阿 dào chí Tài ē ㄉㄠˋ ㄔˊ ㄊㄞˋ ㄜ dou2 ci4 taai3 aa3 lit. to present the handle of a sword to another (idiom); fig. to relinquish power to another; to place oneself at another's mercy +
• 倒打一耙 dào dǎ yī pá ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄚˇ ㄧ ㄆㄚˊ dou2 daa2 jat1 paa4 lit. to strike with a muckrake (idiom), cf Pigsy 豬八戒|猪八戒 in Journey to the West 西遊記|西游记; fig. to counterattack; to make bogus accusations (against one's victim) +
• 刀光剑影刀光劍影 dāo guāng jiàn yǐng ㄉㄠ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄥˇ dou1 gwong1 gim3 jing2 lit. flash of knives and swords (idiom); fig. intense conflict +
• 刀锯斧钺刀鋸斧鉞 dāo jù fǔ yuè ㄉㄠ ㄐㄩˋ ㄈㄨˇ ㄩㄝˋ dou1 geoi3 fu2 jyut6 knife, saw, ax and hatchet (idiom); facing torture and execution +
• 刀枪不入刀槍不入 dāo qiāng bù rù ㄉㄠ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˋ dou1 coeng1 bat1 jap6 lit. impervious to sword or spear (idiom); fig. invulnerable; untouchable; thick-skinned; impervious to criticism +
• 刀枪剑戟刀槍劍戟 dāo qiāng jiàn jǐ ㄉㄠ ㄑㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧˇ (idiom) melee combat weapons of ancient China, such as swords, spears and halberds +
• 刀山火海 dāo shān huǒ hǎi ㄉㄠ ㄕㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄏㄞˇ dou1 saan1 fo2 hoi2 lit. mountains of daggers and seas of flames; fig. extreme danger (idiom) +
• 道山学海道山學海 dào shān xué hǎi ㄉㄠˋ ㄕㄢ ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄞˇ dou6 saan1 hok6 hoi2 mountain of Dao, sea of learning (idiom); learning is as high as the mountains, as wide as the seas; ars longa, vita brevis +
• 倒行逆施 dào xíng nì shī ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄋㄧˋ ㄕ dou3 hang4 jik6 si1 to go against the tide (idiom); to do things all wrong; to try to turn back history; a perverse way of doing things +
• 倒悬之急倒懸之急 dào xuán zhī jí ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄓ ㄐㄧˊ dou3 jyun4 zi1 gap1 lit. the crisis of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation; dire straits +
• 倒悬之苦倒懸之苦 dào xuán zhī kǔ ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄓ ㄎㄨˇ dou3 jyun4 zi1 fu2 lit. the pain of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation; dire straits +
• 倒悬之危倒懸之危 dào xuán zhī wēi ㄉㄠˋ ㄒㄩㄢˊ ㄓ ㄨㄟ dou3 jyun4 zi1 ngai4 lit. the crisis of being hanged upside down (idiom); fig. extremely critical situation; dire straits +
• 大排长龙大排長龍 dà pái cháng lóng ㄉㄚˋ ㄆㄞˊ ㄔㄤˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ daai6 paai4 coeng4 lung4 to form a long queue (idiom); (of cars) to be bumper to bumper +
• 大破大立 dà pò dà lì ㄉㄚˋ ㄆㄛˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄧˋ daai6 po3 daai6 laap6 to destroy the old and establish the new (idiom); radical transformation +
• 大起大落 dà qǐ dà luò ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ daai6 hei2 daai6 lok6 (of market prices etc) to rapidly fluctuate (idiom); volatile; significant ups and downs; roller coaster +
• 打情骂俏打情罵俏 dǎ qíng mà qiào ㄉㄚˇ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄚˋ ㄑㄧㄠˋ daa2 cing4 maa6 ciu3 to banter flirtatiously (idiom) +
• 大器晚成 dà qì wǎn chéng ㄉㄚˋ ㄑㄧˋ ㄨㄢˇ ㄔㄥˊ daai6 hei3 maan5 sing4 lit. it takes a long time to make a big pot (idiom); fig. a great talent matures slowly; in the fullness of time a major figure will develop into a pillar of the state; Rome wasn't built in a day +
• 打入冷宫打入冷宮 dǎ rù lěng gōng ㄉㄚˇ ㄖㄨˋ ㄌㄥˇ ㄍㄨㄥ daa1 jap6 laang5 gung1 (idiom) to snub; to consign to the trash heap of history +
• 大厦将倾大廈將傾 dà shà jiāng qīng ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄑㄧㄥ daai6 haa6 zoeng1 king1 great mansion on the verge of collapse (idiom); hopeless situation +
• 大声疾呼大聲疾呼 dà shēng jí hū ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄥ ㄐㄧˊ ㄏㄨ daai6 sing1 zat6 fu1 to call loudly (idiom); to get people's attention; to make one's views known +
• 大势所趋大勢所趨 dà shì suǒ qū ㄉㄚˋ ㄕˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄑㄩ daai6 sai3 so2 ceoi1 (idiom) the prevailing trend; the trend of the times; an inevitable direction +
• 大手大脚大手大腳 dà shǒu dà jiǎo ㄉㄚˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄠˇ daai6 sau2 daai6 goek3 extravagant (idiom); to throw away money by the handful; wasteful +
• 大庭广众大庭廣眾 dà tíng guǎng zhòng ㄉㄚˋ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄤˇ ㄓㄨㄥˋ daai6 ting4 gwong2 zung3 (idiom) in public; in front of everyone; openly (typically preceded by 在[zai4] and followed by 之下[zhi1 xia4]) +
• 打退堂鼓 dǎ tuì táng gǔ ㄉㄚˇ ㄊㄨㄟˋ ㄊㄤˊ ㄍㄨˇ daa1 teoi3 tong4 gu2 lit. to beat the return drum (idiom); fig. to give up; to turn tail +
• 大相径庭大相徑庭 dà xiāng jìng tíng ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄊㄧㄥˊ daai6 soeng3 ging3 ting4 as different as can be (idiom); poles apart +
• 大限临头大限臨頭 dà xiàn lín tóu ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄊㄡˊ daai6 haan6 lam4 tau4 facing the end (idiom); at the end of one's life; with one foot in the grave +
• 大显身手大顯身手 dà xiǎn shēn shǒu ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄣ ㄕㄡˇ daai6 hin2 san1 sau2 (idiom) fully displaying one's capabilities +
• 打小算盘打小算盤 dǎ xiǎo suàn pán ㄉㄚˇ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄙㄨㄢˋ ㄆㄢˊ daa2 siu2 syun3 pun4 lit. to count on a narrow abacus (idiom); petty and scheming selfishly; concerned with petty interests; selfish and uncaring of the interests of others; bean counter +
• 大喜过望大喜過望 dà xǐ guò wàng ㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄧˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄨㄤˋ daai6 hei2 gwo3 mong6 overjoyed at unexpected good news (idiom) +
• 大义凛然大義凜然 dà yì lǐn rán ㄉㄚˋ ㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄣˇ ㄖㄢˊ daai6 ji6 lam5 jin4 devotion to righteousness that inspires reverence (idiom) +
• 大义灭亲大義滅親 dà yì miè qīn ㄉㄚˋ ㄧˋ ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄑㄧㄣ daai6 ji6 mit6 can1 to place righteousness before family (idiom); ready to punish one's own family if justice demands it +
• 大勇若怯 dà yǒng ruò qiè ㄉㄚˋ ㄩㄥˇ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧㄝˋ daai6 jung5 joek6 hip3 a great hero may appear timid (idiom); the really brave person remains level-headed +
• 大有裨益 dà yǒu bì yì ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄅㄧˋ ㄧˋ daai6 jau5 bei1 jik1 bringing great benefits (idiom); very useful; of great service; to help greatly; to serve one well +
• 大有可为大有可為 dà yǒu kě wéi ㄉㄚˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄎㄜˇ ㄨㄟˊ daai6 jau5 ho2 wai4 with great prospects for the future (idiom); well worth doing +
• 大张旗鼓大張旗鼓 dà zhāng qí gǔ ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄤ ㄑㄧˊ ㄍㄨˇ daai6 zoeng1 kei4 gu2 (idiom) with great fanfare; on a grand scale +
• 大张声势大張聲勢 dà zhāng shēng shì ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄤ ㄕㄥ ㄕˋ daai6 zoeng1 sing1 sai3 to spread one's voice wide (idiom); wide publicity +
• 大张挞伐大張撻伐 dà zhāng tà fá ㄉㄚˋ ㄓㄤ ㄊㄚˋ ㄈㄚˊ daai6 zoeng1 daat3 fat6 (idiom) to launch an all-out attack; to roundly condemn; to castigate +
• 大智若愚 dà zhì ruò yú ㄉㄚˋ ㄓˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄩˊ daai6 zi3 joek6 jyu4 (idiom) great intelligence may appear to be stupidity +
• 大智如愚 dà zhì rú yú ㄉㄚˋ ㄓˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄩˊ daai6 zi3 jyu4 jyu4 the wise may appear stupid (idiom); a genius not appreciated in his own time +
• 德薄能鲜德薄能鮮 dé bó néng xiǎn ㄉㄜˊ ㄅㄛˊ ㄋㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄢˇ dak1 bok6 nang4 sin2 little virtue and meager abilities (idiom); I'm a humble person and not much use at anything (Song writer Ouyang Xiu 歐陽修|欧阳修[Ou1 yang2 Xiu1]) +
• 得不偿失得不償失 dé bù cháng shī ㄉㄜˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄕ dak1 bat1 soeng4 sat1 the gains do not make up for the losses (idiom) +
• 德才兼备德才兼備 dé cái jiān bèi ㄉㄜˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄐㄧㄢ ㄅㄟˋ dak1 coi4 gim1 bei6 (idiom) possessing both integrity and talent +
• 得寸进尺得寸進尺 dé cùn jìn chǐ ㄉㄜˊ ㄘㄨㄣˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄔˇ dak1 cyun3 zeon3 cek3 lit. win an inch, want a foot (idiom); fig. not satisfied with small gains; give him an inch, and he'll want a mile +
• 得道多助 dé dào duō zhù ㄉㄜˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄨˋ dak1 dou6 do1 zo6 a just cause enjoys abundant support (idiom); those upholding justice will find help all around +
• 得而复失得而復失 dé ér fù shī ㄉㄜˊ ㄦˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕ dak1 ji4 fuk6 sat1 to lose what one has just obtained (idiom) +
• 德高望重 dé gāo wàng zhòng ㄉㄜˊ ㄍㄠ ㄨㄤˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ dak1 gou1 mong6 zung6 (idiom) a person of virtue and prestige; a person of good moral standing and reputation +
• 得过且过得過且過 dé guò qiě guò ㄉㄜˊ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄑㄧㄝˇ ㄍㄨㄛˋ dak1 gwo3 ce2 gwo3 satisfied just to get through (idiom); to muddle through; without high ambitions, but getting by +
• 等而下之 děng ér xià zhī ㄉㄥˇ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄓ dang2 ji4 haa6 zi1 going from there to lower grades (idiom) +
• 登高望远登高望遠 dēng gāo wàng yuǎn ㄉㄥ ㄍㄠ ㄨㄤˋ ㄩㄢˇ dang1 gou1 mong6 jyun5 to stand tall and see far (idiom); taking the long and broad view; acute foresight +
• 灯红酒绿燈紅酒綠 dēng hóng jiǔ lǜ ㄉㄥ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄩˋ dang1 hung4 zau2 luk6 lanterns red, wine green (idiom); feasting and pleasure-seeking; debauched and corrupt environment +
• 登堂入室 dēng táng rù shì ㄉㄥ ㄊㄤˊ ㄖㄨˋ ㄕˋ dang1 tong4 jap6 sat1 lit. from the main room, enter the inner chamber (idiom); fig. to go to the next level; to attain a higher level +
• 得天独厚得天獨厚 dé tiān dú hòu ㄉㄜˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄨˊ ㄏㄡˋ dak1 tin1 duk6 hau5 blessed by heaven (idiom); enjoying exceptional advantages; favored by nature +
• 得心应手得心應手 dé xīn yìng shǒu ㄉㄜˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄧㄥˋ ㄕㄡˇ dak1 sam1 jing3 sau2 lit. what the heart wishes, the hand accomplishes (idiom) skilled at the job; entirely in one's element; going smoothly and easily +
• 德艺双馨德藝雙馨 dé yì shuāng xīn ㄉㄜˊ ㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄒㄧㄣ dak1 ngai6 soeng1 hing1 (idiom) possessing both integrity and artistic skills +
• 得鱼忘筌得魚忘筌 dé yú wàng quán ㄉㄜˊ ㄩˊ ㄨㄤˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ dak1 jyu4 mong4 cyun4 lit. catch fish then forget the trap (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3]); fig. to take help for granted +
• 颠倒黑白顛倒黑白 diān dǎo hēi bái ㄉㄧㄢ ㄉㄠˇ ㄏㄟ ㄅㄞˊ din1 dou2 hak1 baak6 lit. to invert black and white (idiom); to distort the truth deliberately; to misrepresent the facts; to invert right and wrong +
• 颠倒是非顛倒是非 diān dǎo shì fēi ㄉㄧㄢ ㄉㄠˇ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ din1 dou2 si6 fei1 (idiom) to distort right and wrong; to deliberately mislead +
• 电光朝露電光朝露 diàn guāng zhāo lù ㄉㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄓㄠ ㄌㄨˋ din6 gwong1 ziu1 lou6 flash of lightning, morning dew (idiom); fig. ephemeral; impermanent +
• 点金成铁點金成鐵 diǎn jīn chéng tiě ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄔㄥˊ ㄊㄧㄝˇ dim2 gam1 sing4 tit3 to transform gold into base metal (idiom); fig. to edit sb else's beautiful prose and ruin it +
• 点睛之笔點睛之筆 diǎn jīng zhī bǐ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄓ ㄅㄧˇ dim2 zing1 zi1 bat1 the brush stroke that dots in the eyes (idiom); fig. to add the vital finishing touch; the crucial point that brings the subject to life; a few words to clinch the point +
• 颠沛流离顛沛流離 diān pèi liú lí ㄉㄧㄢ ㄆㄟˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄧˊ din1 pui3 lau4 lei4 homeless and miserable (idiom); to wander about in a desperate plight; to drift +
• 点石成金點石成金 diǎn shí chéng jīn ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄕˊ ㄔㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣ dim2 sek6 sing4 gam1 to touch base matter and turn it to gold (idiom); fig. to turn crude writing into a literary gem +
• 点水不漏點水不漏 diǎn shuǐ bù lòu ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄡˋ dim2 seoi2 bat1 lau6 not one drop of water leaks (idiom); fig. thoughtful and completely rigorous; watertight +
• 点铁成金點鐵成金 diǎn tiě chéng jīn ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣ dim2 tit3 sing4 gam1 to touch base matter and turn it to gold (idiom); fig. to turn crude writing into a literary gem +
• 点头哈腰點頭哈腰 diǎn tóu hā yāo ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄏㄚ ㄧㄠ dim2 tau4 haa1 jiu1 to nod one's head and bow (idiom); bowing and scraping; unctuous fawning +
• 点头咂嘴點頭咂嘴 diǎn tóu zā zuǐ ㄉㄧㄢˇ ㄊㄡˊ ㄗㄚ ㄗㄨㄟˇ dim2 tau4 zaap3 zeoi2 to approve by nodding one's head and smacking one's lips (idiom) +
• 调兵遣将調兵遣將 diào bīng qiǎn jiàng ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄑㄧㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄤˋ diu6 bing1 hin2 zoeng3 to move an army and send a general (idiom); to deploy an army; to send a team on a task +
• 调虎离山調虎離山 diào hǔ lí shān ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄏㄨˇ ㄌㄧˊ ㄕㄢ diu6 fu2 lei4 saan1 to lure the tiger from its domain in the mountains (idiom); to lure an enemy away from his territory +
• 雕栏玉砌雕欄玉砌 diāo lán yù qì ㄉㄧㄠ ㄌㄢˊ ㄩˋ ㄑㄧˋ diu1 laan4 juk6 cai3 lit. carved railings and jade steps (idiom); fig. richly ornamented (building) +
• 吊民伐罪弔民伐罪 diào mín fá zuì ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄈㄚˊ ㄗㄨㄟˋ diu3 man4 fat6 zeoi6 to console the people by punishing the tyrants (idiom) +
• 雕楹碧槛雕楹碧檻 diāo yíng bì kǎn ㄉㄧㄠ ㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄧˋ ㄎㄢˇ diu1 jing4 bik1 laam6 carved pillar, jade doorsill (idiom); heavily decorated environment +
• 地大物博 dì dà wù bó ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄨˋ ㄅㄛˊ dei6 daai6 mat6 bok3 vast territory with abundant resources (idiom) +
• 地动山摇地動山搖 dì dòng shān yáo ㄉㄧˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄕㄢ ㄧㄠˊ dei6 dung6 saan1 jiu4 the earth quaked, the mountains shook (idiom); a tremendous battle +
• 喋喋不休 dié dié bù xiū ㄉㄧㄝˊ ㄉㄧㄝˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄡ dip6 dip6 bat1 jau1 (idiom) to chatter endlessly; to talk nonstop +
• 跌脚捶胸跌腳捶胸 diē jiǎo chuí xiōng ㄉㄧㄝ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄒㄩㄥ dit3 goek3 ceoi4 hung1 lit. stamping and beating the chest (idiom); fig. angry or stressed about sth +
• 跌至谷底 diē zhì gǔ dǐ ㄉㄧㄝ ㄓˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄉㄧˇ dit3 zi3 guk1 dai2 to hit rock bottom (idiom) +
• 地利人和 dì lì rén hé ㄉㄧˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄏㄜˊ dei6 lei6 jan4 wo4 favorable geographical and social conditions (idiom); good location and the people satisfied +
• 鼎铛玉石鼎鐺玉石 dǐng chēng yù shí ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄔㄥ ㄩˋ ㄕˊ ding2 caang1 juk6 sek6 lit. to use a sacred tripod as cooking pot and jade as ordinary stone (idiom); fig. a waste of precious material; casting pearls before swine +
• 顶礼膜拜頂禮膜拜 dǐng lǐ mó bài ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄌㄧˇ ㄇㄛˊ ㄅㄞˋ ding2 lai5 mok2 baai3 to prostrate oneself in worship (idiom); (fig.) to worship; to bow down to +
• 顶门壮户頂門壯戶 dǐng mén zhuàng hù ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄇㄣˊ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ㄏㄨˋ ding2 mun4 zong3 wu6 to support the family business (idiom) +
• 顶天立地頂天立地 dǐng tiān lì dì ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄧˋ ding2 tin1 laap6 dei6 lit. able to support both heaven and earth; of indomitable spirit (idiom) +
• 定于一尊定於一尊 dìng yú yī zūn ㄉㄧㄥˋ ㄩˊ ㄧ ㄗㄨㄣ ding6 jyu1 jat1 zyun1 (idiom) to rely on a single authority to determine what is correct; to regard a source (or entity or individual) as the ultimate authority +
• 低声细语低聲細語 dī shēng xì yǔ ㄉㄧ ㄕㄥ ㄒㄧˋ ㄩˇ dai1 sing1 sai3 jyu5 in a whisper; in a low voice (idiom) +
• 低首下心 dī shǒu xià xīn ㄉㄧ ㄕㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄒㄧㄣ dai1 sau2 haa6 sam1 to be fawningly submissive (idiom) +
• 滴水穿石 dī shuǐ chuān shí ㄉㄧ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄕˊ dik6 seoi2 cyun1 sek6 dripping water penetrates the stone (idiom); constant perseverance yields success; You can achieve your aim if you try hard without giving up.; Persistent effort overcomes any difficulty. +
• 滴水石穿 dī shuǐ shí chuān ㄉㄧ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄕˊ ㄔㄨㄢ dik6 seoi2 sek6 cyun1 dripping water penetrates the stone (idiom); constant perseverance yields success; You can achieve your aim if you try hard without giving up.; Persistent effort overcomes any difficulty. +
• 丢盔弃甲丟盔棄甲 diū kuī qì jiǎ ㄉㄧㄡ ㄎㄨㄟ ㄑㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄚˇ diu1 kwai1 hei3 gaap3 (idiom) to throw away one's helmet and armor while fleeing from defeat +
• 丢轮扯炮丟輪扯砲 diū lún chě pào ㄉㄧㄡ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄔㄜˇ ㄆㄠˋ diu1 leon4 ce2 paau3 (idiom) flustered; confused +
• 地狭人稠地狹人稠 dì xiá rén chóu ㄉㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄚˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄔㄡˊ dei6 haap6 jan4 cau4 (idiom) small and densely populated +
• 羝羊触藩羝羊觸藩 dī yáng chù fān ㄉㄧ ㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄨˋ ㄈㄢ dai1 joeng4 zuk1 faan4 lit. billy goat's horns caught in the fence (idiom from Book of Changes 易經|易经); impossible to advance or to retreat; without any way out of a dilemma; trapped; in an impossible situation +
• 敌众我寡敵眾我寡 dí zhòng wǒ guǎ ㄉㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄨㄛˇ ㄍㄨㄚˇ dik6 zung3 ngo5 gwaa2 multitude of enemies, few friends (idiom from Mencius); heavily outnumbered; beaten by the weight of numbers +
• 抵足而眠 dǐ zú ér mián ㄉㄧˇ ㄗㄨˊ ㄦˊ ㄇㄧㄢˊ dai2 zuk1 ji4 min4 lit. to live and sleep together (idiom); fig. a close friendship +
• 东奔西跑東奔西跑 dōng bēn xī pǎo ㄉㄨㄥ ㄅㄣ ㄒㄧ ㄆㄠˇ dung1 ban1 sai1 paau2 to run this way and that (idiom); to rush about busily; to bustle about +
• 东奔西走東奔西走 dōng bēn xī zǒu ㄉㄨㄥ ㄅㄣ ㄒㄧ ㄗㄡˇ dung1 ban1 sai1 zau2 to run this way and that (idiom); to rush about busily; to bustle about; to hopscotch; also 東跑西顛|东跑西颠[dong1 pao3 xi1 dian1] +
• 东窗事发東窗事發 dōng chuāng shì fā ㄉㄨㄥ ㄔㄨㄤ ㄕˋ ㄈㄚ dung1 coeng1 si6 faat3 (of a plot etc) to be exposed (idiom); to come to light +
• 东倒西歪東倒西歪 dōng dǎo xī wāi ㄉㄨㄥ ㄉㄠˇ ㄒㄧ ㄨㄞ dung1 dou2 sai1 waai1 to lean unsteadily from side to side (idiom); to sway; (of buildings etc) to lean at a crazy angle +
• 洞房花烛洞房花燭 dòng fáng huā zhú ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄈㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄓㄨˊ dung6 fong4 faa1 zuk1 bridal room and ornamented candles; wedding festivities (idiom) +
• 动见观瞻動見觀瞻 dòng jiàn guān zhān ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄓㄢ dung6 gin3 gun1 zim1 to be watched closely (idiom) +
• 东拉西扯東拉西扯 dōng lā xī chě ㄉㄨㄥ ㄌㄚ ㄒㄧ ㄔㄜˇ dung1 laai1 sai1 ce2 to talk about this and that (idiom); to ramble incoherently +
• 东鳞西爪東鱗西爪 dōng lín xī zhǎo ㄉㄨㄥ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄒㄧ ㄓㄠˇ dung1 leon4 sai1 zaau2 lit. a dragon's scale from the east and a dragon's claw from the west; odds and ends (idiom) +
• 东拼西凑東拼西湊 dōng pīn xī còu ㄉㄨㄥ ㄆㄧㄣ ㄒㄧ ㄘㄡˋ dung1 ping3 sai1 cau3 (idiom) to assemble from bits and pieces; to combine items from disparate sources +
• 动人心魄動人心魄 dòng rén xīn pò ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄆㄛˋ dung6 jan4 sam1 paak3 (idiom) breathtaking; deeply affecting +
• 洞若观火洞若觀火 dòng ruò guān huǒ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄏㄨㄛˇ dung6 joek6 gun1 fo2 lit. to see sth as clearly as one sees a blazing fire (idiom); fig. to grasp the situation thoroughly +
• 东山再起東山再起 dōng shān zài qǐ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄕㄢ ㄗㄞˋ ㄑㄧˇ dung1 saan1 zoi3 hei2 lit. to return to office after living as a hermit on Mount Dongshan (idiom); fig. to make a comeback +
• 东施效颦東施效顰 Dōng Shī xiào pín ㄉㄨㄥ ㄕ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄆㄧㄣˊ lit. Dong Shi imitates Xi Shi's frown (idiom); fig. to mimick sb's idiosyncrasies but make a fool of oneself +
• 东讨西征東討西征 dōng tǎo xī zhēng ㄉㄨㄥ ㄊㄠˇ ㄒㄧ ㄓㄥ dung1 tou2 sai1 zing1 war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters +
• 东兔西乌東兔西烏 dōng tù xī wū ㄉㄨㄥ ㄊㄨˋ ㄒㄧ ㄨ dung1 tou3 sai1 wu1 lit. the sun setting and the moon rising (idiom); fig. the passage of time +
• 东掩西遮東掩西遮 dōng yǎn xī zhē ㄉㄨㄥ ㄧㄢˇ ㄒㄧ ㄓㄜ dung1 jim2 sai1 ze1 to cover up the truth on all sides (idiom) +
• 东摇西摆東搖西擺 dōng yáo xī bǎi ㄉㄨㄥ ㄧㄠˊ ㄒㄧ ㄅㄞˇ dung1 jiu4 sai1 baai2 (idiom) to sway from side to side; unsteady; (idiom) indecisive; hesitant +
• 东张西望東張西望 dōng zhāng xī wàng ㄉㄨㄥ ㄓㄤ ㄒㄧ ㄨㄤˋ dung1 zoeng1 sai1 mong6 to look in all directions (idiom); to glance around +
• 动辄得咎動輒得咎 dòng zhé dé jiù ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄓㄜˊ ㄉㄜˊ ㄐㄧㄡˋ dung6 zip3 dak1 gau3 faulted at every turn (idiom); can't get anything right +
• 东征西讨東征西討 dōng zhēng xī tǎo ㄉㄨㄥ ㄓㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄊㄠˇ dung1 zing1 sai1 tou2 war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters +
• 东征西怨東征西怨 dōng zhēng xī yuàn ㄉㄨㄥ ㄓㄥ ㄒㄧ ㄩㄢˋ dung1 zing1 sai1 jyun3 war on all sides (idiom); fighting from all four quarters +
• 斗酒只鸡斗酒隻雞 dǒu jiǔ zhī jī ㄉㄡˇ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄓ ㄐㄧ dau2 zau2 zek3 gai1 lit. a chicken and a bottle of wine (idiom); fig. ready to make an offering to the deceased, or to entertain guests +
• 斗鸡走马鬥雞走馬 dòu jī zǒu mǎ ㄉㄡˋ ㄐㄧ ㄗㄡˇ ㄇㄚˇ dau3 gai1 zau2 maa5 cock-fighting and horse-racing (idiom); to gamble +
• 豆蔻年华豆蔻年華 dòu kòu nián huá ㄉㄡˋ ㄎㄡˋ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄏㄨㄚˊ dau6 kau3 nin4 waa4 (idiom) (of a girl) 13 or 14 years old; early teens; adolescence +
• 断壁残垣斷壁殘垣 duàn bì cán yuán ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄘㄢˊ ㄩㄢˊ lit. walls reduced to rubble (idiom); fig. scene of devastation; ruins +
• 短兵相接 duǎn bīng xiāng jiē ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄐㄧㄝ dyun2 bing1 soeng1 zip3 lit. short-weaponed soldiery fight one another (idiom); fierce hand-to-hand infantry combat; to fight at close quarters +
• 断壁颓垣斷壁頹垣 duàn bì tuí yuán ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄧˋ ㄊㄨㄟˊ ㄩㄢˊ lit. walls reduced to rubble (idiom); fig. scene of devastation; ruins +
• 断港绝潢斷港絕潢 duàn gǎng jué huáng ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄍㄤˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄏㄨㄤˊ dyun6 gong2 zyut6 wong4 to be unable to continue; to come to a dead end (idiom) +
• 短小精悍 duǎn xiǎo jīng hàn ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄏㄢˋ dyun2 siu2 zing1 hon6 (of a person) short but plucky (idiom); (of an article) concise and forceful +
• 断袖之癖斷袖之癖 duàn xiù zhī pǐ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄓ ㄆㄧˇ dyun6 zau6 zi1 pik1 lit. cut sleeve (idiom); fig. euphemism for homosexuality, originating from History of Western Han 漢書|汉书: emperor Han Aidi (real name Liu Xin) was in bed with his lover Dong Xian, and had to attend a court audience that morning. Not wishing to awaken Dong Xian, who was sleeping with his head resting on the emperor's long robe sleeve, Aidi used a knife to cut off the lower half of his sleeve. +
• 断垣残壁斷垣殘壁 duàn yuán cán bì ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄘㄢˊ ㄅㄧˋ lit. walls reduced to rubble (idiom); fig. scene of devastation; ruins +
• 断章取义斷章取義 duàn zhāng qǔ yì ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄤ ㄑㄩˇ ㄧˋ dyun6 zoeng1 ceoi2 ji6 (idiom) to quote out of context +
• 短中抽长短中抽長 duǎn zhōng chōu cháng ㄉㄨㄢˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄔㄡ ㄔㄤˊ dyun2 zung1 cau1 coeng4 to make the best of a bad job; to make the best use of limited resources (idiom) +
• 独霸一方獨霸一方 dú bà yī fāng ㄉㄨˊ ㄅㄚˋ ㄧ ㄈㄤ duk6 baa3 jat1 fong1 to exercise sole hegemony (idiom); to dominate a whole area (market, resources etc); to hold as one's personal fiefdom +
• 独出心裁獨出心裁 dú chū xīn cái ㄉㄨˊ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄘㄞˊ duk6 ceot1 sam1 coi4 to display originality (idiom); to do things differently +
• 独当一面獨當一面 dú dāng yī miàn ㄉㄨˊ ㄉㄤ ㄧ ㄇㄧㄢˋ duk6 dong1 jat1 min6 to assume personal responsibility (idiom); to take charge of a section +
• 独胆英雄獨膽英雄 dú dǎn yīng xióng ㄉㄨˊ ㄉㄢˇ ㄧㄥ ㄒㄩㄥˊ duk6 daam2 jing1 hung4 bold and courageous hero (idiom) +
• 独断独行獨斷獨行 dú duàn dú xíng ㄉㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ duk6 dyun6 duk6 hang4 to decide and act alone (idiom); to take arbitrary action; a law unto oneself +
• 独断专行獨斷專行 dú duàn zhuān xíng ㄉㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ㄓㄨㄢ ㄒㄧㄥˊ duk6 dyun3 zyun1 hang4 to decide and act alone (idiom); to take arbitrary action; a law unto oneself +
• 独夫民贼獨夫民賊 dú fū mín zéi ㄉㄨˊ ㄈㄨ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄗㄟˊ duk6 fu1 man4 caak6 tyrant and oppressor of the people (idiom); traitorous dictator +
• 蠹国害民蠹國害民 dù guó hài mín ㄉㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄇㄧㄣˊ dou3 gwok3 hoi6 man4 to rob the state and hurt the people (idiom) +
• 堆案盈几 duī àn yíng jī ㄉㄨㄟ ㄢˋ ㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ deoi1 on3 jing4 gei1 lit. piles of work and papers (idiom); fig. accumulated backlog of work +
• 对簿公堂對簿公堂 duì bù gōng táng ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄊㄤˊ deoi3 bou6 gung1 tong4 public courtroom accusation (idiom); legal confrontation; to take sb to court; to sue +
• 对答如流對答如流 duì dá rú liú ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄚˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄌㄧㄡˊ deoi3 daap3 jyu4 lau4 able to reply quickly and fluently (idiom); having a ready answer +
• 堆积如山堆積如山 duī jī rú shān ㄉㄨㄟ ㄐㄧ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄢ deoi1 zik1 jyu4 saan1 to pile up like a mountain (idiom); a mountain of (paperwork etc); a large number of sth +
• 对酒当歌對酒當歌 duì jiǔ dāng gē ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄉㄤ ㄍㄜ deoi3 zau2 dong1 go1 lit. sing to accompany wine (idiom); fig. life is short, make merry while you can +
• 对牛弹琴對牛彈琴 duì niú tán qín ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄊㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄣˊ deoi3 ngau4 taan4 kam4 lit. to play the lute to a cow (idiom); fig. offering a treat to an unappreciative audience; to cast pearls before swine; caviar to the general; to preach to deaf ears; to talk over sb's head +
• 对症发药對症發藥 duì zhèng fā yào ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄈㄚ ㄧㄠˋ deoi3 zing3 faat3 joek6 lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it; to take appropriate steps +
• 对症下药對症下藥 duì zhèng xià yào ㄉㄨㄟˋ ㄓㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄧㄠˋ deoi3 zing3 haa6 joek6 lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it; to take appropriate steps +
• 杜鹃啼血杜鵑啼血 dù juān tí xuè ㄉㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄢ ㄊㄧˊ ㄒㄩㄝˋ dou6 gyun1 tai4 hyut3 lit. the cuckoo, after its tears are exhausted, continues by weeping blood (idiom); fig. extreme grief +
• 独具匠心獨具匠心 dú jù jiàng xīn ㄉㄨˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ ㄒㄧㄣ duk6 geoi6 zoeng6 sam1 original and ingenious (idiom); to show great creativity +
• 独具只眼獨具隻眼 dú jù zhī yǎn ㄉㄨˊ ㄐㄩˋ ㄓ ㄧㄢˇ duk6 geoi6 zek3 ngaan5 to see what others fail to see (idiom); to have exceptional insight +
• 独来独往獨來獨往 dú lái dú wǎng ㄉㄨˊ ㄌㄞˊ ㄉㄨˊ ㄨㄤˇ duk6 loi4 duk6 wong5 (idiom) to be a loner; to keep to oneself +
• 独立自主獨立自主 dú lì zì zhǔ ㄉㄨˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄗˋ ㄓㄨˇ duk6 laap6 zi6 zyu2 independent and autonomous (idiom); self-determination; to act independently; to maintain control over one's own affairs +
• 杜门不出杜門不出 dù mén bù chū ㄉㄨˋ ㄇㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄔㄨ dou6 mun4 bat1 ceot1 (idiom) to shut oneself indoors; to avoid social contact; to cut oneself off from the outside world +
• 妒能害贤妒能害賢 dù néng hài xián ㄉㄨˋ ㄋㄥˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄒㄧㄢˊ dou3 nang4 hoi6 jin4 jealous of the able, envious of the clever (idiom) +
• 多吃多占多吃多佔 duō chī duō zhàn ㄉㄨㄛ ㄔ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄓㄢˋ do1 hek3 do1 zim3 taking or eating more than one's due (idiom); greedy and selfish +
• 多愁多病 duō chóu duō bìng ㄉㄨㄛ ㄔㄡˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄅㄧㄥˋ do1 sau4 do1 beng6 much sorrows and illness (idiom); melancholy and weakly +
• 多愁善感 duō chóu shàn gǎn ㄉㄨㄛ ㄔㄡˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄍㄢˇ do1 sau4 sin6 gam2 (idiom) emotionally sensitive and prone to melancholy +
• 多此一举多此一舉 duō cǐ yī jǔ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄘˇ ㄧ ㄐㄩˇ do1 ci2 jat1 geoi2 to do more than is required (idiom); superfluous; gilding the lily +
• 咄咄怪事 duō duō guài shì ㄉㄨㄛ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄍㄨㄞˋ ㄕˋ cyut3 cyut3 gwaai3 si6 (idiom) extraordinary occurrence; bizarre event +
• 夺门而出奪門而出 duó mén ér chū ㄉㄨㄛˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄦˊ ㄔㄨ dyut6 mun4 ji4 ceot1 to rush out through a door (idiom) +
• 多谋善断多謀善斷 duō móu shàn duàn ㄉㄨㄛ ㄇㄡˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄉㄨㄢˋ do1 mau4 sin6 dyun6 (idiom) resourceful and decisive; resolute and sagacious +
• 多难兴邦多難興邦 duō nàn xīng bāng ㄉㄨㄛ ㄋㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄅㄤ do1 naan4 hing1 bong1 much hardships may awaken a nation (idiom); calamity that prompts renewal +
• 多钱善贾多錢善賈 duō qián shàn gǔ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄑㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄍㄨˇ do1 cin4 sin6 gu2 much capital, good business (idiom); fig. good trading conditions +
• 多如牛毛 duō rú niú máo ㄉㄨㄛ ㄖㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄠˊ do1 jyu4 ngau4 mou4 lit. as numerous as the hairs of an ox (idiom); fig. innumerable; countless +
• 多事之秋 duō shì zhī qiū ㄉㄨㄛ ㄕˋ ㄓ ㄑㄧㄡ do1 si6 zi1 cau1 (idiom) troubled times; eventful period +
• 掇臀捧屁 duō tún pěng pì ㄉㄨㄛ ㄊㄨㄣˊ ㄆㄥˇ ㄆㄧˋ zyut3 tyun4 pung2 pei3 to hold up buttocks and praise a fart (idiom); to use flatter to get what one wants; to toady; boot-licking +
• 堕云雾中墮雲霧中 duò yún wù zhōng ㄉㄨㄛˋ ㄩㄣˊ ㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ do6 wan4 mou6 zung1 lit. to become lost in a fog (idiom); fig. at a complete loss +
• 多子多福 duō zǐ duō fú ㄉㄨㄛ ㄗˇ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄈㄨˊ do1 zi2 do1 fuk1 the more sons, the more happiness (idiom) +
• 独辟蹊径獨辟蹊徑 dú pì xī jìng ㄉㄨˊ ㄆㄧˋ ㄒㄧ ㄐㄧㄥˋ duk6 pik1 hai4 ging3 to blaze a new trail (idiom); to display originality +
• 度日如年 dù rì rú nián ㄉㄨˋ ㄖˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄋㄧㄢˊ dou6 jat6 jyu4 nin4 a day drags past like a year (idiom); time hangs heavy; time crawls when one is wretched +
• 独善其身獨善其身 dú shàn qí shēn ㄉㄨˊ ㄕㄢˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕㄣ duk6 sin6 kei4 san1 (idiom) (originally, in Mencius) to cultivate one's moral character in solitude; (modern sense) to look after only one's own interests +
• 独树一格獨樹一格 dú shù yī gé ㄉㄨˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄧ ㄍㄜˊ duk6 syu6 jat1 gaak3 to have a unique style of one's own (idiom) +
• 独树一帜獨樹一幟 dú shù yī zhì ㄉㄨˊ ㄕㄨˋ ㄧ ㄓˋ duk6 syu6 jat1 ci3 lit. to fly one's banner on a solitary tree (idiom); fig. to act as a loner; to stand out; to develop one's own school; to have attitude of one's own +
• 睹物思人 dǔ wù sī rén ㄉㄨˇ ㄨˋ ㄙ ㄖㄣˊ dou2 mat6 si1 jan4 (idiom) to fondly remember a person on seeing sth one associates with them +
• 独行其是獨行其是 dú xíng qí shì ㄉㄨˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˋ duk6 hang4 kei4 si6 to go one's own way (idiom); to act independently without asking others +
• 独一无二獨一無二 dú yī wú èr ㄉㄨˊ ㄧ ㄨˊ ㄦˋ duk6 jat1 mou4 ji6 (idiom) unique; unmatched; unrivalled +
• 独占鳌头獨占鰲頭 dú zhàn áo tóu ㄉㄨˊ ㄓㄢˋ ㄠˊ ㄊㄡˊ (idiom) to come first in triennial palace examinations (refers to the carved stone turtle head in front of the imperial palace, next to which the most successful candidate in the imperial examinations was entitled to stand); to be the champion; to be the very best in any field +
• 蠹众木折蠹眾木折 dù zhòng mù zhé ㄉㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄜˊ dou3 zung3 muk6 zit3 Danger appears where many harmful factors exist. (idiom) +