Chengyu — L 231 idioms

• 来鸿去燕 來鴻去燕 lái hóng qù yàn ㄌㄞˊ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄧㄢˋ loi4 hung4 heoi3 jin3 lit. the goose comes, the swallow goes (idiom); fig. always on the move
• 来历不明 來歷不明 lái lì bù míng ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ loi4 lik6 bat1 ming4 (idiom) of unknown origin; of dubious background
• 来龙去脉 來龍去脈 lái lóng qù mài ㄌㄞˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄇㄞˋ loi4 lung4 heoi3 mak6 lit. the rise and fall of the terrain (idiom); fig. the whole sequence of events; causes and effects
• 来去无踪 來去無蹤 lái qù wú zōng ㄌㄞˊ ㄑㄩˋ ㄨˊ ㄗㄨㄥ loi4 heoi3 mou4 zung1 come without a shadow, leave without a footprint (idiom); to come and leave without a trace
• 来日方长 來日方長 lái rì fāng cháng ㄌㄞˊ ㄖˋ ㄈㄤ ㄔㄤˊ loi4 jat6 fong1 coeng4 the future is long (idiom); there will be ample time for that later; We'll cross that bridge when we get there
• 来者不拒 來者不拒 lái zhě bù jù ㄌㄞˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩˋ loi4 ze2 bat1 keoi5 to refuse nobody (idiom); all comers welcome
• 来之不易 來之不易 lái zhī bù yì ㄌㄞˊ ㄓ ㄅㄨˋ ㄧˋ loi4 zi1 bat1 ji6 (idiom) hard to come by; not easily obtained
• 来踪去迹 來蹤去跡 lái zōng qù jì ㄌㄞˊ ㄗㄨㄥ ㄑㄩˋ ㄐㄧˋ loi4 zung1 heoi3 zik1 lit. the traces of a person's movements (idiom); fig. sb's history; the ins and out of a matter
• 兰艾同焚 蘭艾同焚 lán ài tóng fén ㄌㄢˊ ㄞˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄣˊ laan4 ngaai6 tung4 fan4 lit. to burn both fragrant orchids and stinking weeds (idiom); fig. to destroy indiscriminately the noble and common; the rain falls on the just and unjust alike
• 狼狈为奸 狼狽為奸 láng bèi wéi jiān ㄌㄤˊ ㄅㄟˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧㄢ long4 bui3 wai4 gaan1 villains collude together (idiom); to work hand in glove with sb (to nefarious ends)
• 狼奔豕突 láng bēn shǐ tū ㄌㄤˊ ㄅㄣ ㄕˇ ㄊㄨ long4 ban1 ci2 dat6 the wolf runs and the wild boar rushes (idiom); crowds of evil-doers mill around like wild beasts
• 狼虫虎豹 狼蟲虎豹 láng chóng hǔ bào ㄌㄤˊ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄅㄠˋ long4 cung4 fu2 paau3 (idiom) ferocious beasts
• 锒铛入狱 鋃鐺入獄 láng dāng rù yù ㄌㄤˊ ㄉㄤ ㄖㄨˋ ㄩˋ long4 dong1 jap6 juk6 lit. to get shackled and thrown in jail (idiom); fig. to be put behind bars; to get jailed
• 浪得虚名 浪得虛名 làng dé xū míng ㄌㄤˋ ㄉㄜˊ ㄒㄩ ㄇㄧㄥˊ long6 dak1 heoi1 ming4 to have an undeserved reputation (idiom)
• 浪迹天涯 浪跡天涯 làng jì tiān yá ㄌㄤˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄧㄚˊ long6 zik1 tin1 ngaai4 to roam far and wide (idiom); to travel the world
• 狼吞虎咽 狼吞虎嚥 láng tūn hǔ yàn ㄌㄤˊ ㄊㄨㄣ ㄏㄨˇ ㄧㄢˋ long4 tan1 fu2 jin3 to wolf down one's food (idiom); to devour ravenously; to gorge oneself
• 狼心狗肺 láng xīn gǒu fèi ㄌㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄍㄡˇ ㄈㄟˋ long4 sam1 gau2 fai3 lit. heart of wolf and lungs of dog (idiom); cruel and unscrupulous
• 狼烟四起 狼煙四起 láng yān sì qǐ ㄌㄤˊ ㄧㄢ ㄙˋ ㄑㄧˇ long4 jin1 sei3 hei2 fire beacons on all sides (idiom); enveloped in the flames of war
• 浪子回头 浪子回頭 làng zǐ huí tóu ㄌㄤˋ ㄗˇ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄊㄡˊ long6 zi2 wui4 tau4 the return of a prodigal son (idiom)
• 狼子野心 láng zǐ yě xīn ㄌㄤˊ ㄗˇ ㄧㄝˇ ㄒㄧㄣ long4 zi2 je5 sam1 ambition of wild wolves (idiom); rapacious designs
• 揽辔澄清 攬轡澄清 lǎn pèi chéng qīng ㄌㄢˇ ㄆㄟˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄥ laam5 bei3 cing4 cing1 to assume one's post with the aspiration of bringing about peace and order to the nation (idiom)
• 滥杀无辜 濫殺無辜 làn shā wú gū ㄌㄢˋ ㄕㄚ ㄨˊ ㄍㄨ laam6 saat3 mou4 gu1 willfully slaughter the innocent (idiom)
• 蓝田种玉 藍田種玉 lán tián zhòng yù ㄌㄢˊ ㄊㄧㄢˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄩˋ laam4 tin4 zung3 juk6 a marriage made in heaven (idiom)
• 滥竽充数 濫竽充數 làn yú chōng shù ㄌㄢˋ ㄩˊ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄕㄨˋ laam6 jyu4 cung1 sou3 lit. to play the yu 竽 mouth organ to make up numbers (idiom); fig. to make up the numbers with inferior products; to masquerade as having an ability; token member of a group
• 烂醉如泥 爛醉如泥 làn zuì rú ní ㄌㄢˋ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄋㄧˊ laan6 zeoi3 jyu4 nai4 (idiom) to be dead drunk; to be plastered
• 老蚌生珠 lǎo bàng shēng zhū ㄌㄠˇ ㄅㄤˋ ㄕㄥ ㄓㄨ lou5 pong5 saang1 zyu1 lit. an old oyster producing a pearl (idiom); fig. birthing a son at an advanced age
• 牢不可破 láo bù kě pò ㄌㄠˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄆㄛˋ lou4 bat1 ho2 po3 (idiom) (usu. of sth abstract: an alliance, a conviction etc) unbreakable; rock-solid
• 老大不小 lǎo dà bù xiǎo ㄌㄠˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄠˇ lou5 daai6 bat1 siu2 no longer a child (idiom)
• 老当益壮 老當益壯 lǎo dāng yì zhuàng ㄌㄠˇ ㄉㄤ ㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ lou5 dong1 jik1 zong3 old but vigorous (idiom); hale and hearty despite the years
• 老调重弹 老調重彈 lǎo diào chóng tán ㄌㄠˇ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ㄔㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄢˊ lou5 diu6 cung4 taan4 to play the same old tune (idiom); unoriginal
• 老夫少妻 lǎo fū shào qī ㄌㄠˇ ㄈㄨ ㄕㄠˋ ㄑㄧ lou5 fu1 siu3 cai1 (idiom) older husband and much younger wife
• 老骥伏枥 老驥伏櫪 lǎo jì fú lì ㄌㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄌㄧˋ lou5 kei3 fuk6 lik1 lit. an old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop 1000 miles (idiom); fig. aged person with great aspirations
• 老骥嘶风 老驥嘶風 lǎo jì sī fēng ㄌㄠˇ ㄐㄧˋ ㄙ ㄈㄥ lou5 kei3 sai1 fung1 old steed sniffs the wind (idiom); fig. aged person with great aspirations
• 老马恋栈 老馬戀棧 lǎo mǎ liàn zhàn ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄌㄧㄢˋ ㄓㄢˋ lou5 maa5 lyun2 zaan6 lit. the old horse loves his stable; fig. sb old but reluctant to relinquish their post (idiom)
• 老马识途 老馬識途 lǎo mǎ shí tú ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄕˊ ㄊㄨˊ lou5 maa5 sik1 tou4 an old horse knows the way (idiom); an experienced worker knows what to do; an old hand knows the ropes
• 老马嘶风 老馬嘶風 lǎo mǎ sī fēng ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄚˇ ㄙ ㄈㄥ lou5 maa5 sai1 fung1 old horse sniffs the wind (idiom); fig. aged person with great aspirations
• 劳民伤财 勞民傷財 láo mín shāng cái ㄌㄠˊ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄤ ㄘㄞˊ lou4 man4 soeng1 coi4 (idiom) to waste both manpower and resources
• 老谋深算 老謀深算 lǎo móu shēn suàn ㄌㄠˇ ㄇㄡˊ ㄕㄣ ㄙㄨㄢˋ lou5 mau4 sam1 syun3 rigorous schemes and deep foresight (idiom); astute and circumspect
• 老牛破车 老牛破車 lǎo niú pò chē ㄌㄠˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄆㄛˋ ㄔㄜ lou5 ngau4 po3 ce1 lit. old ox pulling a shabby cart (idiom); fig. slow and inefficient
• 老牛舐犊 老牛舐犢 lǎo niú shì dú ㄌㄠˇ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄕˋ ㄉㄨˊ lou5 ngau4 saai5 duk6 lit. an old ox licking its calf (idiom); fig. (of parents) to dote on one's children
• 老气横秋 老氣橫秋 lǎo qì héng qiū ㄌㄠˇ ㄑㄧˋ ㄏㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄡ lou5 hei3 waang4 cau1 old and decrepit; proud of one's age and experience (idiom)
• 老生常谈 老生常談 lǎo shēng cháng tán ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄥ ㄔㄤˊ ㄊㄢˊ lou5 saang1 soeng4 taam4 an old observation (idiom); a truism; banal comments
• 老态龙钟 老態龍鍾 lǎo tài lóng zhōng ㄌㄠˇ ㄊㄞˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄨㄥ lou5 taai3 lung4 zung1 (idiom) doddering; senile
• 劳燕分飞 勞燕分飛 láo yàn fēn fēi ㄌㄠˊ ㄧㄢˋ ㄈㄣ ㄈㄟ lou4 jin3 fan1 fei1 the shrike and the swallow fly in different directions (idiom); (usually of a couple) to part from each other
• 老眼昏花 lǎo yǎn hūn huā ㄌㄠˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄣ ㄏㄨㄚ lou5 ngaan5 fan1 faa1 blurred vision of an old person (idiom)
• 劳逸结合 勞逸結合 láo yì jié hé ㄌㄠˊ ㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄏㄜˊ lou4 jat6 git3 hap6 to strike a balance between work and rest (idiom)
• 老于世故 老於世故 lǎo yú shì gù ㄌㄠˇ ㄩˊ ㄕˋ ㄍㄨˋ lou5 jyu1 sai3 gu3 experienced in the ways of the world (idiom); worldly-wise; sophisticated
• 乐不可极 樂不可極 lè bù kě jí ㄌㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄧˊ lok6 bat1 ho2 gik6 (idiom) one should not overindulge in pleasure
• 乐不可支 樂不可支 lè bù kě zhī ㄌㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄓ lok6 bat1 ho2 zi1 overjoyed (idiom); as pleased as punch
• 乐不思蜀 樂不思蜀 lè bù sī Shǔ ㄌㄜˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄙ ㄕㄨˇ lok6 bat1 si1 suk6 indulge in pleasure and forget home and duty (idiom)
• 乐昌破镜 樂昌破鏡 Lè chāng pò jìng ㄌㄜˋ ㄔㄤ ㄆㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˋ lok6 coeng1 po3 geng3 lit. the story of the broken mirror of Princess Lechang 乐昌公主 (In the tale, the princess and her husband, fearing separation during the turbulence of war, broke a bronze mirror in half. They each kept one half as a token, with the promise to reunite by matching the pieces together. They were indeed separated, but eventually reunited, with the mirror playing a crucial role in their reunion.) (idiom); fig. the reunion of separated lovers or the restoration of a relationship
• 乐此不疲 樂此不疲 lè cǐ bù pí ㄌㄜˋ ㄘˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄆㄧˊ lok6 ci2 bat1 pei4 (idiom) to enjoy sth and never tire of it
• 雷打不动 雷打不動 léi dǎ bù dòng ㄌㄟˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ leoi4 daa2 bat1 dung6 not shaken by thunder (idiom); the arrangements are unalterable; to adhere rigidly to regulations; will go ahead whatever happens (of an arrangement or plan)
• 擂鼓鸣金 擂鼓鳴金 léi gǔ míng jīn ㄌㄟˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣ leoi4 gu2 ming4 gam1 to beat the drum and sound the gong (idiom); fig. to order an advance or retreat; to egg people on or to call them back
• 雷厉风行 雷厲風行 léi lì fēng xíng ㄌㄟˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄈㄥ ㄒㄧㄥˊ leoi4 lai6 fung1 hang4 pass like thunder and move like the wind (idiom); swift and decisive reaction
• 泪流满面 淚流滿面 lèi liú mǎn miàn ㄌㄟˋ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ leoi6 lau4 mun5 min6 cheeks streaming with tears (idiom)
• 磊落大方 lěi luò dà fāng ㄌㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄈㄤ leoi5 lok6 daai6 fong1 to be generous in the extreme (idiom)
• 泪如雨下 淚如雨下 lèi rú yǔ xià ㄌㄟˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄩˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ leoi6 jyu4 jyu5 haa6 tears falling like rain (idiom)
• 泪水涟涟 淚水漣漣 lèi shuǐ lián lián ㄌㄟˋ ㄕㄨㄟˇ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ leoi6 seoi2 lin4 lin4 in floods of tears (idiom)
• 泪眼婆娑 淚眼婆娑 lèi yǎn pó suō ㄌㄟˋ ㄧㄢˇ ㄆㄛˊ ㄙㄨㄛ leoi6 ngaan5 po4 so1 tearful (idiom)
• 乐极生悲 樂極生悲 lè jí shēng bēi ㄌㄜˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄕㄥ ㄅㄟ lok6 gik6 sang1 bei1 extreme joy turns to sorrow (idiom); Don't celebrate too soon, things could still go wrong!
• 冷嘲热讽 冷嘲熱諷 lěng cháo rè fěng ㄌㄥˇ ㄔㄠˊ ㄖㄜˋ ㄈㄥˇ laang5 zaau1 jit6 fung3 frigid irony and scorching satire (idiom); to mock and ridicule
• 冷若冰霜 lěng ruò bīng shuāng ㄌㄥˇ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄕㄨㄤ laang5 joek6 bing1 soeng1 as cold as ice and frost (idiom, usually of woman); icy manner; frigid
• 冷言冷语 冷言冷語 lěng yán lěng yǔ ㄌㄥˇ ㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄥˇ ㄩˇ laang5 jin4 laang5 jyu5 sarcastic comments (idiom); to make sarcastic comments
• 冷眼旁观 冷眼旁觀 lěng yǎn páng guān ㄌㄥˇ ㄧㄢˇ ㄆㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄢ laang5 ngaan5 pong4 gun1 (idiom) to observe with an indifferent attitude; to be a bystander (usually referring to someone who could get involved but chooses not to)
• 冷语冰人 冷語冰人 lěng yǔ bīng rén ㄌㄥˇ ㄩˇ ㄅㄧㄥ ㄖㄣˊ laang5 jyu5 bing1 jan4 to offend people with unkind remarks (idiom)
• 乐于助人 樂於助人 lè yú zhù rén ㄌㄜˋ ㄩˊ ㄓㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ lok6 jyu1 zo6 jan4 (idiom) willing to help others
• 乐在其中 樂在其中 lè zài qí zhōng ㄌㄜˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄓㄨㄥ lok6 zoi6 kei4 zung1 to take pleasure in sth (idiom)
• 连镳并轸 連鑣並軫 lián biāo bìng zhěn ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄧㄠ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄓㄣˇ lin4 biu1 bing6 zan2 lit. reins together and carriages level (idiom); keeping exactly abreast of one another; running neck and neck
• 脸都绿了 臉都綠了 liǎn dōu lǜ le ㄌㄧㄢˇ ㄉㄡ ㄌㄩˋ ˙ㄌㄜ lim5 dou1 luk6 liu5 green in the face (idiom); to look unwell
• 两败俱伤 兩敗俱傷 liǎng bài jù shāng ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄅㄞˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄕㄤ loeng5 baai6 keoi1 soeng1 both sides suffer (idiom); neither side wins
• 两鬓斑白 兩鬢斑白 liǎng bìn bān bái ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄅㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄢ ㄅㄞˊ loeng5 ban3 baan1 baak6 (idiom) to have gray hair at the temples
• 量才录用 量才錄用 liàng cái lù yòng ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄘㄞˊ ㄌㄨˋ ㄩㄥˋ loeng6 coi4 luk6 jung6 to assess sb's capabilities and employ him accordingly (idiom); to employ sb competent for the task
• 良辰吉日 liáng chén jí rì ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄐㄧˊ ㄖˋ loeng4 san4 gat1 jat6 fine time, lucky day (idiom); fig. good opportunity
• 良辰美景 liáng chén měi jǐng ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ loeng4 san4 mei5 ging2 fine time, beautiful scenery (idiom); everything lovely
• 良工心苦 liáng gōng xīn kǔ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄎㄨˇ loeng4 gung1 sam1 fu2 expert craft from hard practice (idiom); hard-won skill; A masterpiece demands suffering.
• 两虎相争 兩虎相爭 liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄏㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄓㄥ loeng5 fu2 soeng1 zang1 lit. two tigers fighting (idiom); fig. fierce contest between evenly matched adversaries
• 两肋插刀 兩肋插刀 liǎng lèi chā dāo ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄌㄟˋ ㄔㄚ ㄉㄠ loeng5 lak6 caap3 dou1 lit. to take knives in both sides (idiom); fig. to go to any lengths for a friend; to sacrifice oneself out of loyalty
• 量力而行 liàng lì ér xíng ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄒㄧㄥˊ loeng6 lik6 ji4 hang4 to assess one's capabilities and act accordingly (idiom); to act within one's competence; One does what one can.
• 两面三刀 兩面三刀 liǎng miàn sān dāo ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄙㄢ ㄉㄠ loeng5 min6 saam1 dou1 two-faced, three knives (idiom); double-cross; double dealing and back stabbing
• 两全其美 兩全其美 liǎng quán qí měi ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄟˇ loeng5 cyun4 kei4 mei5 to satisfy rival demands (idiom); to get the best of both worlds; to have it both ways; to have one's cake and eat it too
• 量入为出 量入為出 liàng rù wéi chū ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄖㄨˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄨ loeng6 jap6 wai4 ceot1 to assess one's income and spend accordingly (idiom); to live within one's means; You can only spend what you earn.
• 良师益友 良師益友 liáng shī yì yǒu ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄕ ㄧˋ ㄧㄡˇ loeng4 si1 jik1 jau5 good teacher and helpful friend (idiom); mentor
• 两手空空 兩手空空 liǎng shǒu kōng kōng ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄎㄨㄥ loeng5 sau2 hung1 hung1 empty-handed (idiom); fig. not receiving anything
• 量体裁衣 量體裁衣 liàng tǐ cái yī ㄌㄧㄤˋ ㄊㄧˇ ㄘㄞˊ ㄧ loeng4 tai2 coi4 ji1 lit. to cut cloth according to the body (idiom); fig. to act according to actual circumstances
• 连滚带爬 連滾帶爬 lián gǔn dài pá ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄣˇ ㄉㄞˋ ㄆㄚˊ lin4 gwan2 daai3 paa4 (idiom) stumbling and crawling; scrambling; frantically trying to escape
• 良宵美景 liáng xiāo měi jǐng ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄠ ㄇㄟˇ ㄐㄧㄥˇ loeng4 siu1 mei5 ging2 fine evening, beautiful scenery (idiom)
• 良心发现 良心發現 liáng xīn fā xiàn ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄈㄚ ㄒㄧㄢˋ loeng4 sam1 faat3 jin6 (idiom) to develop a conscience about sth after previously being unconcerned (usu. resulting in feeling remorse or making amends)
• 良心喂狗 liáng xīn wèi gǒu ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨㄟˋ ㄍㄡˇ loeng4 sam1 wai3 gau2 to have fed one's conscience to the dogs (idiom); devoid of conscience
• 两袖清风 兩袖清風 liǎng xiù qīng fēng ㄌㄧㄤˇ ㄒㄧㄡˋ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄈㄥ loeng5 zau6 cing1 fung1 lit. both sleeves flowing in the breeze (idiom); having clean hands; uncorrupted; unsoiled by corrupt practices
• 良药苦口 良藥苦口 liáng yào kǔ kǒu ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄧㄠˋ ㄎㄨˇ ㄎㄡˇ loeng4 joek6 fu2 hau2 good medicine tastes bitter (idiom); fig. frank criticism is hard to swallow
• 良知良能 liáng zhī liáng néng ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄓ ㄌㄧㄤˊ ㄋㄥˊ loeng4 zi1 loeng4 nang4 instinctive understanding, esp. of ethical issues (idiom); untrained, but with an inborn sense of right and wrong; innate moral sense
• 脸红筋暴 臉紅筋暴 liǎn hóng jīn bào ㄌㄧㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄅㄠˋ lim5 hung4 gan1 bou6 red and tense with anger (idiom)
• 脸红筋涨 臉紅筋漲 liǎn hóng jīn zhǎng ㄌㄧㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄓㄤˇ lim5 hung4 gan1 zoeng3 red and tense with anger (idiom)
• 连绵不绝 連綿不絕 lián mián bù jué ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ lin4 min4 bat1 zyut6 (idiom) continuous; unending
• 连篇累牍 連篇累牘 lián piān lěi dú ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄆㄧㄢ ㄌㄟˇ ㄉㄨˊ lin4 pin1 leoi5 duk6 (of a piece of writing) long and tedious (idiom); verbose
• 连三并四 連三併四 lián sān bìng sì ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄢ ㄅㄧㄥˋ ㄙˋ lin4 saam1 bing3 sei3 one after the other; in succession (idiom)
• 脸上贴金 臉上貼金 liǎn shàng tiē jīn ㄌㄧㄢˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄊㄧㄝ ㄐㄧㄣ lim5 soeng5 tip3 gam1 lit. to apply gold leaf to the face of a statue (idiom); fig. to talk up; to extol the virtues of (oneself or sb else)
• 连锁反应 連鎖反應 lián suǒ fǎn yìng ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄈㄢˇ ㄧㄥˋ lin4 so2 faan2 jing3 (physics) chain reaction; (idiom) chain reaction; series of events each caused by the previous one
• 连拖带拉 連拖帶拉 lián tuō dài lā ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄊㄨㄛ ㄉㄞˋ ㄌㄚ lin4 to1 daai3 laai1 pushing and pulling (idiom)
• 怜香惜玉 憐香惜玉 lián xiāng xī yù ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄒㄧ ㄩˋ lin4 hoeng1 sik1 juk6 to have tender, protective feelings for the fairer sex (idiom)
• 连战连胜 連戰連勝 lián zhàn lián shèng ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄓㄢˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄕㄥˋ lin4 zin3 lin4 sing3 fighting and winning a series of battles (idiom); ever victorious
• 聊表心意 liáo biǎo xīn yì ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄅㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄧˋ liu4 biu2 sam1 ji3 (idiom) to offer as a small token of one's feelings
• 寥寥可数 寥寥可數 liáo liáo kě shǔ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄕㄨˇ liu4 liu4 ho2 sou3 (idiom) very few
• 寥寥无几 寥寥無幾 liáo liáo wú jǐ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄨˊ ㄐㄧˇ liu4 liu4 mou4 gei2 (idiom) very few
• 了然于胸 了然於胸 liǎo rán yú xiōng ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄢˊ ㄩˊ ㄒㄩㄥ liu5 jin4 jyu1 hung1 (idiom) to be well aware; to understand clearly
• 寥若晨星 liáo ruò chén xīng ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄔㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄥ liu4 joek6 san4 sing1 rare as morning stars (idiom); few and far between; sparse
• 了如指掌 liǎo rú zhǐ zhǎng ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄓˇ ㄓㄤˇ liu5 jyu4 zi2 zoeng2 to know sth like the back of one's hand (idiom); to know (a person, a place etc) inside out
• 聊胜于无 聊勝於無 liáo shèng yú wú ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄕㄥˋ ㄩˊ ㄨˊ liu4 sing3 jyu1 mou4 better than nothing (idiom)
• 料事如神 liào shì rú shén ㄌㄧㄠˋ ㄕˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄕㄣˊ liu6 si6 jyu4 san4 to prophesy with supernatural accuracy (idiom); to have an incredible foresight
• 了无生趣 了無生趣 liǎo wú shēng qù ㄌㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄕㄥ ㄑㄩˋ liu5 mou4 saang1 ceoi3 to lose all interest in life (idiom)
• 聊以自慰 liáo yǐ zì wèi ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄧˇ ㄗˋ ㄨㄟˋ liu4 ji5 zi6 wai3 to find some consolation (idiom); to find relief in
• 礼崩乐坏 禮崩樂壞 lǐ bēng yuè huài ㄌㄧˇ ㄅㄥ ㄩㄝˋ ㄏㄨㄞˋ lai5 bang1 ngok6 waai6 rites and music are in ruins (idiom); fig. society in total disarray; cf. 礼乐
• 力不从心 力不從心 lì bù cóng xīn ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ lik6 bat1 cung4 sam1 (idiom) to lack the ability to do what one would wish
• 力不胜任 力不勝任 lì bù shèng rèn ㄌㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄖㄣˋ lik6 bat1 sing1 jam6 not to be up to the task (idiom); incompetent
• 立地成佛 lì dì chéng fó ㄌㄧˋ ㄉㄧˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄈㄛˊ laap6 dei6 sing4 fat6 to become a Buddha on the spot (idiom); instant rehabilitation; to repent and be absolved of one's crimes
• 立竿见影 立竿見影 lì gān jiàn yǐng ㄌㄧˋ ㄍㄢ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄥˇ laap6 gon1 gin3 jing2 lit. set up a pole and immediately see its shadow (idiom); fig. to get instant results
• 梨花带雨 梨花帶雨 lí huā dài yǔ ㄌㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄉㄞˋ ㄩˇ lei4 faa1 daai3 jyu5 lit. like raindrops on a pear blossom (idiom); fig. tear-stained face of a beauty
• 骊黄牝牡 驪黃牝牡 lí huáng pìn mǔ ㄌㄧˊ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄆㄧㄣˋ ㄇㄨˇ lei4 wong4 pan5 maau5 a black stallion or possibly a yellow mare (idiom); don't judge by outward appearance
• 励精图治 勵精圖治 lì jīng tú zhì ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄊㄨˊ ㄓˋ lai6 zing1 tou4 zi6 (of a ruler) to strive to make one's nation strong and prosperous (idiom)
• 力尽神危 力盡神危 lì jìn shén wēi ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄕㄣˊ ㄨㄟ lik6 zeon6 san4 ngai4 (idiom) physically and mentally exhausted
• 历久弥坚 歷久彌堅 lì jiǔ mí jiān ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄢ lik6 gau2 nei4 gin1 to become more resolute with the passing of time (idiom)
• 历久弥新 歷久彌新 lì jiǔ mí xīn ㄌㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄇㄧˊ ㄒㄧㄣ lik6 gau2 nei4 san1 lit. long in existence but ever new (idiom); fig. timeless; unfading
• 利令智昏 lì lìng zhì hūn ㄌㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄓˋ ㄏㄨㄣ lei6 ling6 zi3 fan1 to lose one's head through material greed (idiom)
• 莅临指导 蒞臨指導 lì lín zhǐ dǎo ㄌㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄓˇ ㄉㄠˇ lei6 lam4 zi2 dou6 (of a notable person etc) to honor with one's presence and offer guidance (idiom)
• 历历在目 歷歷在目 lì lì zài mù ㄌㄧˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄇㄨˋ lik6 lik6 zoi6 muk6 vivid in one's mind (idiom)
• 灵丹妙药 靈丹妙藥 líng dān miào yào ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄢ ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄧㄠˋ ling4 daan1 miu6 joek6 effective cure, miracle medicine (idiom); fig. wonder-cure for all problems; panacea; elixir
• 零打碎敲 líng dǎ suì qiāo ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄚˇ ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄑㄧㄠ ling4 daa2 seoi3 haau1 to do things in bits and pieces (idiom); piecemeal work
• 灵机一动 靈機一動 líng jī yī dòng ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧ ㄧ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ling4 gei1 jat1 dung6 a bright idea suddenly occurs (idiom); to hit upon an inspiration; to be struck by a brainwave
• 凌乱不堪 凌亂不堪 líng luàn bù kān ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄢ ling4 lyun6 bat1 ham1 in a terrible mess (idiom)
• 绫罗绸缎 綾羅綢緞 líng luó chóu duàn ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄔㄡˊ ㄉㄨㄢˋ ling4 lo4 cau4 dyun6 (idiom) silk and satin
• 另谋高就 另謀高就 lìng móu gāo jiù ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄇㄡˊ ㄍㄠ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ling6 mau4 gou1 zau6 to get a better job somewhere else (idiom); to seek alternative employment
• 另辟蹊径 另闢蹊徑 lìng pì xī jìng ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄆㄧˋ ㄒㄧ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ling6 pik1 hai4 ging3 to take an alternate route (idiom); to find an alternative; to take a different approach; to blaze a new trail
• 零敲碎打 líng qiāo suì dǎ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄠ ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄉㄚˇ ling4 haau1 seoi3 daa2 to do things in bits and pieces (idiom); piecemeal work
• 另起炉灶 另起爐灶 lìng qǐ lú zào ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧˇ ㄌㄨˊ ㄗㄠˋ ling6 hei2 lou4 zou3 lit. to set up a separate kitchen (idiom); to start from scratch; back to square one; to start of on a new path
• 另请高明 另請高明 lìng qǐng gāo míng ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄑㄧㄥˇ ㄍㄠ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ling6 cing2 gou1 ming4 please find sb better qualified than me (idiom)
• 令人发指 令人髮指 lìng rén fà zhǐ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄈㄚˋ ㄓˇ ling6 jan4 faat3 zi2 (idiom) to make one feel a sense of revulsion; abhorrent; heinous; deeply disturbing
• 令行禁止 lìng xíng jìn zhǐ ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄓˇ ling6 hang4 gam3 zi2 lit. orders are carried out and prohibitions are observed (idiom); fig. to execute every order without fail
• 伶牙俐齿 伶牙俐齒 líng yá lì chǐ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄚˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄔˇ ling4 ngaa4 lei6 ci2 clever and eloquent (idiom); fluent; having the gift of the gab
• 另有企图 另有企圖 lìng yǒu qǐ tú ㄌㄧㄥˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄑㄧˇ ㄊㄨˊ ling6 jau5 kei5 tou4 (idiom) to have an ulterior motive
• 麟角凤觜 麟角鳳觜 lín jiǎo fèng zuǐ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄠˇ ㄈㄥˋ ㄗㄨㄟˇ leon4 gok3 fung6 zeoi2 lit. qilin's horn, phoenix's mouth (idiom); fig. rara avis; rarity
• 临渴穿井 臨渴穿井 lín kě chuān jǐng ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄐㄧㄥˇ lam4 hot3 cyun1 zeng2 lit. face thirst and dig a well (idiom); fig. not to make adequate provision; to act when it is too late
• 临渴掘井 臨渴掘井 lín kě jué jǐng ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄐㄧㄥˇ lam4 hot3 gwat6 zeng2 lit. not to dig a well until one is thirsty; to be unprepared and seek help at the last minute (idiom)
• 琳琅满目 琳瑯滿目 lín láng mǎn mù ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄤˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄨˋ lam4 long4 mun5 muk6 (idiom) to be a feast for the eyes; to be a cornucopia of delights; to be diverse and abundant
• 淋漓尽致 淋漓盡致 lín lí jìn zhì ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄓˋ lam4 lei4 zeon6 zi3 lit. extreme saturation (idiom); fig. vividly and thoroughly; in great detail; without restraint; (of a performance) brilliant
• 临危受命 臨危受命 lín wēi shòu mìng ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄨㄟ ㄕㄡˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ lam4 ngai4 sau6 ming6 (idiom) to take on a leadership role at a time of crisis
• 临阵磨枪 臨陣磨槍 lín zhèn mó qiāng ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄓㄣˋ ㄇㄛˊ ㄑㄧㄤ lam4 zan6 mo4 coeng1 lit. to sharpen one's spear only before going into battle (idiom); fig. to make preparations only at the last moment
• 临阵退缩 臨陣退縮 lín zhèn tuì suō ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄓㄣˋ ㄊㄨㄟˋ ㄙㄨㄛ lam4 zan6 teoi3 suk1 to shrink back as the time for battle approaches (idiom); to get cold feet
• 力排众议 力排眾議 lì pái zhòng yì ㄌㄧˋ ㄆㄞˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄧˋ lik6 paai4 zung3 ji5 to stand one's ground against the opinion of the masses (idiom)
• 离情别绪 離情別緒 lí qíng bié xù ㄌㄧˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄝˊ ㄒㄩˋ lei4 cing4 bit6 seoi5 sad feeling at separation (idiom)
• 理屈词穷 理屈詞窮 lǐ qū cí qióng ㄌㄧˇ ㄑㄩ ㄘˊ ㄑㄩㄥˊ lei5 wat1 ci4 kung4 lit. having presented a flawed argument, one has nothing further to add (idiom); fig. unable to provide a convincing argument to support one's position; to not have a leg to stand on
• 礼尚往来 禮尚往來 lǐ shàng wǎng lái ㄌㄧˇ ㄕㄤˋ ㄨㄤˇ ㄌㄞˊ lai5 soeng6 wong5 loi4 lit. proper behavior is based on reciprocity (idiom); fig. to return politeness for politeness
• 立身处世 立身處世 lì shēn chǔ shì ㄌㄧˋ ㄕㄣ ㄔㄨˇ ㄕˋ laap6 san1 cyu2 sai3 (idiom) the way one conducts oneself in society
• 理所当然 理所當然 lǐ suǒ dāng rán ㄌㄧˇ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄉㄤ ㄖㄢˊ lei5 so2 dong1 jin4 as it should be by rights (idiom); proper and to be expected as a matter of course; inevitable and right
• 力所能及 lì suǒ néng jí ㄌㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ㄋㄥˊ ㄐㄧˊ lik6 so2 nang4 kap6 as far as one's capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one's ability; within one's powers
• 柳暗花明 liǔ àn huā míng ㄌㄧㄡˇ ㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄇㄧㄥˊ lau5 am3 faa1 ming4 lit. the willow trees make the shade, the flowers give the light (idiom); at one's darkest hour, a glimmer of hope; light at the end of the tunnel
• 流芳百世 liú fāng bǎi shì ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄈㄤ ㄅㄞˇ ㄕˋ lau4 fong1 baak3 sai3 (of one's name, reputation etc) to be immortalized (idiom); to leave a mark for generations to come
• 流光溢彩 liú guāng yì cǎi ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄧˋ ㄘㄞˇ lau4 gwong1 jat6 coi2 (idiom) brilliant lights and vibrant colors
• 流离颠沛 流離顛沛 liú lí diān pèi ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄉㄧㄢ ㄆㄟˋ lau4 lei4 din1 pui3 destitute and homeless (idiom); displaced and without means
• 流离失所 流離失所 liú lí shī suǒ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄕ ㄙㄨㄛˇ lau4 lei4 sat1 so2 destitute and homeless (idiom); forced from one's home and wandering about; displaced
• 柳绿花红 柳綠花紅 liǔ lǜ huā hóng ㄌㄧㄡˇ ㄌㄩˋ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄏㄨㄥˊ lau5 luk6 faa1 hung4 lit. green willows and red flowers (idiom); fig. all the colors of spring
• 流年不利 liú nián bù lì ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄋㄧㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ lau4 nin4 bat1 lei6 the year's horoscope augurs ill (idiom); an unlucky year
• 六亲不认 六親不認 liù qīn bù rèn ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˋ luk6 can1 bat1 jing6 not recognizing one's family (idiom); self-centered and not making any allowances for the needs of one's relatives
• 六亲无靠 六親無靠 liù qīn wú kào ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄑㄧㄣ ㄨˊ ㄎㄠˋ luk6 can1 mou4 kaau3 orphaned of all one's immediate relatives (idiom); no one to rely on; left to one's own devices
• 六神无主 六神無主 liù shén wú zhǔ ㄌㄧㄡˋ ㄕㄣˊ ㄨˊ ㄓㄨˇ luk6 san4 mou4 zyu2 out of one's wits (idiom); distracted; stunned
• 流星赶月 流星趕月 liú xīng gǎn yuè ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄒㄧㄥ ㄍㄢˇ ㄩㄝˋ lau4 sing1 gon2 jyut6 lit. a meteor catching up with the moon; swift action (idiom)
• 溜须拍马 溜鬚拍馬 liū xū pāi mǎ ㄌㄧㄡ ㄒㄩ ㄆㄞ ㄇㄚˇ lau6 sou1 paak3 maa5 to smooth whiskers and pat a horse's bottom (idiom); to use flatter to get what one wants; to toady; boot-licking
• 流言蜚语 流言蜚語 liú yán fēi yǔ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄧㄢˊ ㄈㄟ ㄩˇ lau4 jin4 fei1 jyu5 rumors and slanders (idiom); gossip; lies and slanders
• 柳烟花雾 柳煙花霧 liǔ yān huā wù ㄌㄧㄡˇ ㄧㄢ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄨˋ lau5 jin1 faa1 mou6 lit. willow scent and mist of blossom (idiom); scene full of the delights of spring
• 力挽狂澜 力挽狂瀾 lì wǎn kuáng lán ㄌㄧˋ ㄨㄢˇ ㄎㄨㄤˊ ㄌㄢˊ lik6 waan5 kwong4 laan4 to pull strongly against a crazy tide (idiom); fig. to try hard to save a desperate crisis
• 厉行节约 厲行節約 lì xíng jié yuē ㄌㄧˋ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄝˊ ㄩㄝ lai6 hang4 zit3 joek3 to practice strict economy (idiom)
• 礼义廉耻 禮義廉恥 lǐ yì lián chǐ ㄌㄧˇ ㄧˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄔˇ lai5 ji6 lim4 ci2 (idiom) propriety, justice, integrity and a sense of shame (i.e. the four social bonds, 四维)
• 里应外合 裡應外合 lǐ yìng wài hé ㄌㄧˇ ㄧㄥˋ ㄨㄞˋ ㄏㄜˊ leoi5 jing3 ngoi6 hap6 to coordinate outside and inside offensives (idiom); (fig.) to act together
• 利欲熏心 利慾薰心 lì yù xūn xīn ㄌㄧˋ ㄩˋ ㄒㄩㄣ ㄒㄧㄣ lei6 juk6 fan1 sam1 blinded by greed (idiom)
• 力争上游 力爭上游 lì zhēng shàng yóu ㄌㄧˋ ㄓㄥ ㄕㄤˋ ㄧㄡˊ lik6 zang1 soeng6 jau4 to strive for mastery (idiom); aiming for the best result; to have high ambitions
• 理直气壮 理直氣壯 lǐ zhí qì zhuàng ㄌㄧˇ ㄓˊ ㄑㄧˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ lei5 zik6 hei3 zong3 in the right and self-confident (idiom); bold and confident with justice on one's side; to have the courage of one's convictions; just and forceful
• 龙飞凤舞 龍飛鳳舞 lóng fēi fèng wǔ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄟ ㄈㄥˋ ㄨˇ lung4 fei1 fung6 mou5 flamboyant or bold cursive calligraphy (idiom)
• 龙凤呈祥 龍鳳呈祥 lóng fèng chéng xiáng ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄈㄥˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤˊ lung4 fung6 cing4 coeng4 the dragon and phoenix are symbols of good fortune (idiom); auspicious; decorated with auspicious symbols such as the dragon and the phoenix
• 龙马精神 龍馬精神 lóng mǎ jīng shén ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄇㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄕㄣˊ lung4 maa5 zing1 san4 old but still full of vitality (idiom)
• 笼鸟槛猿 籠鳥檻猿 lóng niǎo jiàn yuán ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄋㄧㄠˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄩㄢˊ lung4 niu5 haam5 jyun4 bird in a basket, monkey in a cage (idiom); prisoner
• 隆情厚谊 隆情厚誼 lóng qíng hòu yì ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄡˋ ㄧˋ lung4 cing4 hau5 ji4 profound love, generous friendship (idiom)
• 龙蛇混杂 龍蛇混雜 lóng shé hùn zá ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄜˊ ㄏㄨㄣˋ ㄗㄚˊ lung4 se4 wan6 zaap6 lit. dragons and snakes mingle (idiom); fig. a mix of good people and scumbags
• 龙生九子 龍生九子 lóng shēng jiǔ zǐ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄕㄥ ㄐㄧㄡˇ ㄗˇ lung4 sang1 gau2 zi2 lit. the dragon has nine sons (idiom); fig. all kinds of characters; good and bad intermingled; It takes all sorts to make a world.
• 龙潭虎穴 龍潭虎穴 lóng tán hǔ xué ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄢˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄒㄩㄝˊ lung4 taam4 fu2 jyut6 lit. dragon's pool and tiger's den (idiom); fig. dangerous place; hostile territory
• 龙腾虎跃 龍騰虎躍 lóng téng hǔ yuè ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄥˊ ㄏㄨˇ ㄩㄝˋ lung4 tang4 fu2 joek6 lit. dragon soaring and tiger leaping (idiom); fig. prosperous and bustling; vigorous and active
• 龙头蛇尾 龍頭蛇尾 lóng tóu shé wěi ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄕㄜˊ ㄨㄟˇ lung4 tau4 se4 mei5 lit. dragon's head, snake's tail (idiom); fig. a strong start but weak finish
• 龙骧虎步 龍驤虎步 lóng xiāng hǔ bù ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄏㄨˇ ㄅㄨˋ (idiom) powerful and imposing demeanor
• 龙争虎斗 龍爭虎鬥 lóng zhēng hǔ dòu ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄥ ㄏㄨˇ ㄉㄡˋ lung4 zang1 fu2 dau3 lit. the dragon wars, the tiger battles (idiom); fierce battle between giants
• 漏洞百出 lòu dòng bǎi chū ㄌㄡˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ ㄅㄞˇ ㄔㄨ lau6 dung6 baak3 ceot1 (of an argument, theory etc) full of flaws (idiom)
• 漏脯充饥 漏脯充飢 lòu fǔ chōng jī ㄌㄡˋ ㄈㄨˇ ㄔㄨㄥ ㄐㄧ lau6 fu2 cung1 gei1 lit. to eat rotten meat to assuage hunger (idiom); fig. to disregard long-term consequences for short-term benefits; shortsighted
• 漏网之鱼 漏網之魚 lòu wǎng zhī yú ㄌㄡˋ ㄨㄤˇ ㄓ ㄩˊ lau6 mong5 zi1 jyu4 lit. a fish that escaped the net (idiom); fig. sb or sth that slips through the net
• 漏泄天机 漏洩天機 lòu xiè tiān jī ㄌㄡˋ ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄐㄧ lau6 sit3 tin1 gei1 to divulge the will of heaven (idiom); to leak a secret; to let the cat out of the bag
• 乱臣贼子 亂臣賊子 luàn chén zéi zǐ ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄔㄣˊ ㄗㄟˊ ㄗˇ lyun6 san4 caak6 zi2 rebels and traitors (idiom); general term for scoundrel
• 鸾飘凤泊 鸞飄鳳泊 luán piāo fèng bó ㄌㄨㄢˊ ㄆㄧㄠ ㄈㄥˋ ㄅㄛˊ lyun4 piu1 fung6 bok6 lit. firebird soars, phoenix alights (idiom); fig. bold, graceful calligraphy; married couple separated from each other; talented person not given the opportunity to fulfill his potential
• 乱七八糟 亂七八糟 luàn qī bā zāo ㄌㄨㄢˋ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄚ ㄗㄠ lyun6 cat1 baat3 zou1 (idiom) chaotic; in disorder; muddled
• 鸾翔凤集 鸞翔鳳集 luán xiáng fèng jí ㄌㄨㄢˊ ㄒㄧㄤˊ ㄈㄥˋ ㄐㄧˊ lyun4 coeng4 fung6 zaap6 lit. firebird and phoenix come together (idiom); fig. a gathering of eminent people
• 路不拾遗 路不拾遺 lù bù shí yí ㄌㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄧˊ lou6 bat1 sap6 wai4 lit. no one picks up lost articles in the street (idiom); fig. honesty prevails throughout society
• 露出马脚 露出馬腳 lù chū mǎ jiǎo ㄌㄨˋ ㄔㄨ ㄇㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄠˇ lou6 ceot1 maa5 goek3 to reveal the cloven foot (idiom); to unmask one's true nature; to give the game away
• 炉火纯青 爐火純青 lú huǒ chún qīng ㄌㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄛˇ ㄔㄨㄣˊ ㄑㄧㄥ lou4 fo2 seon4 cing1 lit. the stove fire has turned bright green (allusion to Daoist alchemy) (idiom); fig. (of an art, a technique etc) brought to the point of perfection
• 绿林好汉 綠林好漢 lù lín hǎo hàn ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄣˊ ㄏㄠˇ ㄏㄢˋ luk6 lam4 hou2 hon3 (idiom) chivalrous hero, often one who combats injustice or fights for a noble cause (originally referred to a group of outlaws who assembled in 绿林)
• 戮力同心 lù lì tóng xīn ㄌㄨˋ ㄌㄧˋ ㄊㄨㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ luk6 lik6 tung4 sam1 (idiom) to join forces to work towards a common goal
• 论长道短 論長道短 lùn cháng dào duǎn ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄉㄠˋ ㄉㄨㄢˇ leon6 coeng4 dou6 dyun2 lit. to discuss sb's merits and demerits (idiom); to gossip
• 论功行赏 論功行賞 lùn gōng xíng shǎng ㄌㄨㄣˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄤˇ leon6 gung1 hang4 soeng2 (idiom) to assess merit and confer rewards
• 沦肌浃髓 淪肌浹髓 lún jī jiā suǐ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄐㄧ ㄐㄧㄚ ㄙㄨㄟˇ leon4 gei1 zip3 seoi5 lit. penetrate to the marrow (idiom); deeply affected; moved to the core
• 落草为寇 落草為寇 luò cǎo wéi kòu ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄘㄠˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄎㄡˋ lok6 cou2 wai6 kau3 (idiom) to take to the woods to become an outlaw
• 落袋为安 落袋為安 luò dài wéi ān ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄉㄞˋ ㄨㄟˊ ㄢ lok6 doi2 wai6 on1 (idiom) to take profits and lock in one's gains
• 落井下石 luò jǐng xià shí ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄐㄧㄥˇ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄕˊ lok6 zeng2 haa6 sek6 to throw stones at sb who has fallen down a well (idiom); to hit a person when he's down
• 落落寡交 luò luò guǎ jiāo ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄐㄧㄠ lok6 lok6 gwaa2 gaau1 aloof and as a result friendless (idiom)
• 罗雀掘鼠 羅雀掘鼠 luó què jué shǔ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄑㄩㄝˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄕㄨˇ lo4 zoek3 gwat6 syu2 lit. to net sparrows and dig out rats (idiom); fig. to try every possible means of obtaining food (in times of starvation)
• 落入法网 落入法網 luò rù fǎ wǎng ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄖㄨˋ ㄈㄚˇ ㄨㄤˇ lok6 jap6 faat3 mong5 to fall into the net of justice (idiom); finally arrested
• 落拓不羁 落拓不羈 luò tuò bù jī ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄊㄨㄛˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧ lok6 taap3 bat1 gei1 (idiom) unconventional; uninhibited; free-spirited
• 洛阳纸贵 洛陽紙貴 Luò yáng zhǐ guì ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄤˊ ㄓˇ ㄍㄨㄟˋ lok3 joeng4 zi2 gwai3 lit. paper has become expensive in Luoyang (because everyone is making a copy of a popular story) (idiom); fig. (of a product) to sell like hotcakes
• 落叶归根 落葉歸根 luò yè guī gēn ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄍㄣ lok6 jip6 gwai1 gan1 lit. a falling leaf returns to the roots (idiom); fig. all things go back to their source eventually; in old age, an expatriate returns home
• 络绎不绝 絡繹不絕 luò yì bù jué ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ lok3 jik6 bat1 zyut6 (idiom) continuously; in an endless stream
• 路人皆知 lù rén jiē zhī ㄌㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄐㄧㄝ ㄓ lou6 jan4 gaai1 zi1 understood by everyone (idiom); well known; a household name
• 鹿死谁手 鹿死誰手 lù sǐ shéi shǒu ㄌㄨˋ ㄙˇ ㄕㄟˊ ㄕㄡˇ luk6 sei2 seoi4 sau2 lit. at whose hand will the deer die (idiom); fig. who will emerge victorious
• 屡败屡战 屢敗屢戰 lǚ bài lǚ zhàn ㄌㄩˇ ㄅㄞˋ ㄌㄩˇ ㄓㄢˋ leoi5 baai6 leoi5 zin3 to keep on fighting despite continual setbacks (idiom)
• 绿惨红愁 綠慘紅愁 lǜ cǎn hóng chóu ㄌㄩˋ ㄘㄢˇ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄔㄡˊ luk6 caam2 hung4 sau4 (of women) grieved appearance (idiom); sorrowful mien
• 绿草如茵 綠草如茵 lǜ cǎo rú yīn ㄌㄩˋ ㄘㄠˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧㄣ green grass like cushion (idiom); green meadow so inviting to sleep on
• 略见一斑 略見一斑 lüè jiàn yī bān ㄌㄩㄝˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄧ ㄅㄢ loek6 gin3 jat1 baan1 lit. to glimpse just one spot (of the leopard) (idiom); fig. to get an inkling of the whole picture
• 略迹原情 略跡原情 lüè jì yuán qíng ㄌㄩㄝˋ ㄐㄧˋ ㄩㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄥˊ loek6 zik1 jyun4 cing4 to overlook past faults (idiom); to forgive and forget
• 略知一二 lüè zhī yī èr ㄌㄩㄝˋ ㄓ ㄧ ㄦˋ loek6 zi1 jat1 ji6 (idiom) to know just a little; to have a rough idea
• 屡见不鲜 屢見不鮮 lǚ jiàn bù xiān ㄌㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄢ leoi5 gin3 bat1 sin1 a common occurrence (idiom)
• 屡禁不绝 屢禁不絕 lǚ jìn bù jué ㄌㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ leoi5 gam3 bat1 zyut6 to continue despite repeated prohibition (idiom)
• 屡禁不止 屢禁不止 lǚ jìn bù zhǐ ㄌㄩˇ ㄐㄧㄣˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓˇ leoi5 gam3 bat1 zi2 to continue despite repeated prohibition (idiom)
• 绿女红男 綠女紅男 lǜ nǚ hóng nán ㄌㄩˋ ㄋㄩˇ ㄏㄨㄥˊ ㄋㄢˊ luk6 neoi5 hung4 naam4 young people decked out in gorgeous clothes (idiom)
• 屡劝不听 屢勸不聽 lǚ quàn bù tīng ㄌㄩˇ ㄑㄩㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄊㄧㄥ leoi5 hyun3 bat1 teng1 (idiom) refusing to listen to advice or remonstrance; incorrigible
• 绿树成荫 綠樹成蔭 lǜ shù chéng yīn ㄌㄩˋ ㄕㄨˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄧㄣ luk6 syu6 sing4 jam3 (idiom) (of an area) to have trees with shade-giving foliage; (of a road) to be tree-lined
• 履险如夷 履險如夷 lǚ xiǎn rú yí ㄌㄩˇ ㄒㄧㄢˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄧˊ lei5 him2 jyu4 ji4 lit. to make one's way through a dangerous pass as if walking on level ground (idiom); fig. to handle a crisis effortlessly
• 履舄交错 履舄交錯 lǚ xì jiāo cuò ㄌㄩˇ ㄒㄧˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄘㄨㄛˋ lit. shoes and slippers muddled together (idiom); fig. many guests come and go; a lively party
• 屡战屡败 屢戰屢敗 lǚ zhàn lǚ bài ㄌㄩˇ ㄓㄢˋ ㄌㄩˇ ㄅㄞˋ leoi5 zin3 leoi5 baai6 to suffer defeat in every battle (idiom)