Chengyu — M 186 idioms

• 骂不绝口 罵不絕口 mà bù jué kǒu ㄇㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄎㄡˇ maa6 bat1 zyut6 hau2 to scold without end (idiom); incessant abuse
• 马齿徒增 馬齒徒增 mǎ chǐ tú zēng ㄇㄚˇ ㄔˇ ㄊㄨˊ ㄗㄥ maa5 ci2 tou4 zang1 (self-deprecating) to have grown old without accomplishing anything (idiom)
• 马到成功 馬到成功 mǎ dào chéng gōng ㄇㄚˇ ㄉㄠˋ ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄥ maa5 dou3 sing4 gung1 to win instant success (idiom)
• 马耳东风 馬耳東風 mǎ ěr dōng fēng ㄇㄚˇ ㄦˇ ㄉㄨㄥ ㄈㄥ maa5 ji5 dung1 fung1 lit. the east wind blowing in a horse's ear (idiom); fig. words one pays no heed to
• 马革裹尸 馬革裹屍 mǎ gé guǒ shī ㄇㄚˇ ㄍㄜˊ ㄍㄨㄛˇ ㄕ maa5 gaak3 gwo2 si1 to be buried in a horse hide (idiom); to give one's life on the battlefield
• 马工枚速 馬工枚速 Mǎ gōng Méi sù ㄇㄚˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄇㄟˊ ㄙㄨˋ maa5 gung1 mui4 cuk1 Sima Xiangru is meticulous and Mei Gao is fast (idiom); to each his good points
• 买椟还珠 買櫝還珠 mǎi dú huán zhū ㄇㄞˇ ㄉㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄢˊ ㄓㄨ maai5 duk6 waan4 zyu1 to buy a wooden box and return the pearls inside; to show poor judgment (idiom)
• 卖官鬻爵 賣官鬻爵 mài guān yù jué ㄇㄞˋ ㄍㄨㄢ ㄩˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ (idiom) to grant government positions or official titles in exchange for bribes
• 埋头苦干 埋頭苦幹 mái tóu kǔ gàn ㄇㄞˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄎㄨˇ ㄍㄢˋ maai4 tau4 fu2 gon3 to bury oneself in work (idiom); to be engrossed in work; to make an all-out effort; up to the neck in work
• 买笑追欢 買笑追歡 mǎi xiào zhuī huān ㄇㄞˇ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄓㄨㄟ ㄏㄨㄢ maai5 siu3 zeoi1 fun1 lit. to buy smiles to seek happiness; abandon oneself to the pleasures of the flesh (idiom)
• 满不在乎 滿不在乎 mǎn bù zài hu ㄇㄢˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄞˋ ˙ㄏㄨ mun5 bat1 zoi6 fu4 not in the least concerned (idiom); reckless; couldn't give a damn about it; unperturbed; couldn't care less; harum scarum
• 满城风雨 滿城風雨 mǎn chéng fēng yǔ ㄇㄢˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄈㄥ ㄩˇ mun5 sing4 fung1 jyu5 lit. wind and rain sweeping through the town (idiom); fig. a big scandal; an uproar; the talk of the town
• 满打满算 滿打滿算 mǎn dǎ mǎn suàn ㄇㄢˇ ㄉㄚˇ ㄇㄢˇ ㄙㄨㄢˋ mun5 daa2 mun5 syun3 taking everything into account (idiom); when all is said and done
• 满腹经纶 滿腹經綸 mǎn fù jīng lún ㄇㄢˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄥ ㄌㄨㄣˊ mun5 fuk1 ging1 leon4 full of political wisdom (idiom); politically astute; with encyclopedic experience of state policy
• 满腹牢骚 滿腹牢騷 mǎn fù láo sāo ㄇㄢˇ ㄈㄨˋ ㄌㄠˊ ㄙㄠ mun5 fuk1 lou4 sou1 lit. belly full of complaints (idiom); discontent; always moaning and complaining
• 芒刺在背 máng cì zài bèi ㄇㄤˊ ㄘˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄅㄟˋ mong4 ci3 zoi6 bui3 feeling brambles and thorns in one's back (idiom); uneasy and nervous; to be on pins and needles
• 忙里偷闲 忙裡偷閑 máng lǐ tōu xián ㄇㄤˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄊㄡ ㄒㄧㄢˊ mong4 leoi5 tau1 haan4 (idiom) to snatch a moment of leisure in the midst of a busy schedule
• 茫然失措 máng rán shī cuò ㄇㄤˊ ㄖㄢˊ ㄕ ㄘㄨㄛˋ mong4 jin4 sat1 cou3 at a loss (idiom)
• 盲人摸象 máng rén mō xiàng ㄇㄤˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄇㄛ ㄒㄧㄤˋ maang4 jan4 mo2 zoeng6 blind people touch an elephant (idiom, from Nirvana sutra 大般涅盘经); fig. unable to see the big picture; to mistake the part for the whole; unable to see the wood for the trees
• 忙中有错 忙中有錯 máng zhōng yǒu cuò ㄇㄤˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄘㄨㄛˋ mong4 zung1 jau5 co3 rushed work leads to errors (idiom)
• 忙中有失 máng zhōng yǒu shī ㄇㄤˊ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧㄡˇ ㄕ mong4 zung1 jau5 sat1 rushed work leads to errors (idiom)
• 满坑满谷 滿坑滿谷 mǎn kēng mǎn gǔ ㄇㄢˇ ㄎㄥ ㄇㄢˇ ㄍㄨˇ mun5 haang1 mun5 guk1 (idiom) all over the place; in every nook and cranny; packed to the rafters
• 满脸风尘 滿臉風塵 mǎn liǎn fēng chén ㄇㄢˇ ㄌㄧㄢˇ ㄈㄥ ㄔㄣˊ mun5 lim5 fung1 can4 lit. with a face full of dust; showing the hardships of travel (idiom)
• 漫漫长夜 漫漫長夜 màn màn cháng yè ㄇㄢˋ ㄇㄢˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄧㄝˋ maan6 maan6 coeng4 je6 endless night (idiom); fig. long suffering
• 满目疮痍 滿目瘡痍 mǎn mù chuāng yí ㄇㄢˇ ㄇㄨˋ ㄔㄨㄤ ㄧˊ a scene of devastation meets the eye everywhere one looks (idiom)
• 漫山遍野 màn shān biàn yě ㄇㄢˋ ㄕㄢ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄧㄝˇ maan6 saan1 pin3 je5 lit. covering the mountains and the plains (idiom); fig. as far as the eye can see; covering everything; omnipresent
• 瞒上欺下 瞞上欺下 mán shàng qī xià ㄇㄢˊ ㄕㄤˋ ㄑㄧ ㄒㄧㄚˋ mun4 soeng6 hei1 haa6 to deceive one's superiors and bully one's subordinates (idiom)
• 漫天遍地 màn tiān biàn dì ㄇㄢˋ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄉㄧˋ maan6 tin1 pin3 dei6 lit. to fill the whole sky and cover the land (idiom); fig. everywhere; as far as the eye can see
• 瞒天过海 瞞天過海 mán tiān guò hǎi ㄇㄢˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄞˇ mun4 tin1 gwo3 hoi2 to cross the sea by a trick (idiom); to achieve one's aim by underhanded means
• 满载而归 滿載而歸 mǎn zài ér guī ㄇㄢˇ ㄗㄞˋ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨㄟ mun5 zoi2 ji4 gwai1 (idiom) to return from a rewarding journey
• 冒大不韪 冒大不韙 mào dà bù wěi ㄇㄠˋ ㄉㄚˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄨㄟˇ mou6 daai6 bat1 wai5 (idiom) to face opprobrium
• 毛骨悚然 máo gǔ sǒng rán ㄇㄠˊ ㄍㄨˇ ㄙㄨㄥˇ ㄖㄢˊ mou4 gwat1 sung2 jin4 to have one's hair stand on end (idiom); to feel one's blood run cold
• 貌合神离 貌合神離 mào hé shén lí ㄇㄠˋ ㄏㄜˊ ㄕㄣˊ ㄌㄧˊ maau6 hap6 san4 lei4 the appearance of unity, but divided at heart (idiom); seeming harmony belies underlying disagreement
• 猫哭耗子 貓哭耗子 māo kū hào zi ㄇㄠ ㄎㄨ ㄏㄠˋ ˙ㄗ maau1 huk1 hou3 zi2 the cat weeps for the dead mouse (idiom); hypocritical pretence of condolence; crocodile tears
• 猫哭老鼠 貓哭老鼠 māo kū lǎo shǔ ㄇㄠ ㄎㄨ ㄌㄠˇ ㄕㄨˇ maau1 huk1 lou5 syu2 the cat weeps for the dead mouse (idiom); hypocritical pretence of condolence; crocodile tears
• 貌美如花 mào měi rú huā ㄇㄠˋ ㄇㄟˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄚ maau6 mei5 jyu4 faa1 (of a woman) lovely as a flower (idiom); beautiful
• 冒名顶替 冒名頂替 mào míng dǐng tì ㄇㄠˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄊㄧˋ mou6 ming4 ding2 tai3 to assume sb's name and take his place (idiom); to impersonate; to pose under a false name
• 茅塞顿开 茅塞頓開 máo sè dùn kāi ㄇㄠˊ ㄙㄜˋ ㄉㄨㄣˋ ㄎㄞ maau4 sak1 deon6 hoi1 murky darkness suddenly opens (idiom); a sudden flash of insight and all is clear
• 毛遂自荐 毛遂自薦 Máo Suì zì jiàn ㄇㄠˊ ㄙㄨㄟˋ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ mou4 seoi6 zi6 zin3 Mao Sui recommends himself (idiom); to offer one's services (in the style of Mao Sui offering his services to king of Chu 楚 of the Warring states)
• 马首是瞻 馬首是瞻 mǎ shǒu shì zhān ㄇㄚˇ ㄕㄡˇ ㄕˋ ㄓㄢ maa5 sau2 si6 zim1 to follow blindly (idiom); to take as one's only guide
• 美不胜收 美不勝收 měi bù shèng shōu ㄇㄟˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕㄥˋ ㄕㄡ mei5 bat1 sing1 sau1 nothing more beautiful can be imagined (idiom)
• 没吃没穿 沒吃沒穿 méi chī méi chuān ㄇㄟˊ ㄔ ㄇㄟˊ ㄔㄨㄢ mut6 hek3 mut6 cyun1 to be without food or clothing (idiom); to be very poor
• 眉开眼笑 眉開眼笑 méi kāi yǎn xiào ㄇㄟˊ ㄎㄞ ㄧㄢˇ ㄒㄧㄠˋ mei4 hoi1 ngaan5 siu3 brows raised in delight, eyes laughing (idiom); beaming with joy; all smiles
• 眉来眼去 眉來眼去 méi lái yǎn qù ㄇㄟˊ ㄌㄞˊ ㄧㄢˇ ㄑㄩˋ mei4 loi4 ngaan5 heoi3 (idiom) to make eyes; to exchange flirting glances with sb
• 美轮美奂 美輪美奐 měi lún měi huàn ㄇㄟˇ ㄌㄨㄣˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄢˋ mei5 leon4 mei5 wun6 (idiom) (of houses, scenery etc) magnificent
• 美其名曰 měi qí míng yuē ㄇㄟˇ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄩㄝ mei5 kei4 ming4 joek6 to call by the glorified name of (idiom)
• 每时每日 每時每日 měi shí měi rì ㄇㄟˇ ㄕˊ ㄇㄟˇ ㄖˋ mui5 si4 mui5 jat6 every day and every hour; hourly and daily (idiom)
• 媒妁之言 méi shuò zhī yán ㄇㄟˊ ㄕㄨㄛˋ ㄓ ㄧㄢˊ (idiom) matchmaker's services (in establishing an arranged marriage)
• 没头没脸 沒頭沒臉 méi tóu méi liǎn ㄇㄟˊ ㄊㄡˊ ㄇㄟˊ ㄌㄧㄢˇ mut6 tau4 mut6 lim5 lit. without head, without face (idiom); fig. frenzily; haphazardly
• 美中不足 měi zhōng bù zú ㄇㄟˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄅㄨˋ ㄗㄨˊ mei5 zung1 bat1 zuk1 everything is fine except for one small defect (idiom); the fly in the ointment
• 门当户对 門當戶對 mén dāng hù duì ㄇㄣˊ ㄉㄤ ㄏㄨˋ ㄉㄨㄟˋ mun4 dong1 wu6 deoi3 the families are well-matched in terms of social status (idiom); (of a prospective marriage partner) an appropriate match
• 蒙昧无知 蒙昧無知 méng mèi wú zhī ㄇㄥˊ ㄇㄟˋ ㄨˊ ㄓ mung4 mui6 mou4 zi1 benighted (idiom); ignorant
• 梦寐以求 夢寐以求 mèng mèi yǐ qiú ㄇㄥˋ ㄇㄟˋ ㄧˇ ㄑㄧㄡˊ mung6 mei6 ji5 kau4 lit. to yearn for sth even in one's dreams (idiom); fig. to deeply long for; to covet
• 盟山誓海 méng shān shì hǎi ㄇㄥˊ ㄕㄢ ㄕˋ ㄏㄞˇ mang4 saan1 sai6 hoi2 to pledge undying love (idiom); oath of eternal love; to swear by all the Gods
• 蒙在鼓里 蒙在鼓裡 méng zài gǔ lǐ ㄇㄥˊ ㄗㄞˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄌㄧˇ mung4 zoi6 gu2 leoi5 lit. kept inside a drum (idiom); fig. completely in the dark
• 门可罗雀 門可羅雀 mén kě luó què ㄇㄣˊ ㄎㄜˇ ㄌㄨㄛˊ ㄑㄩㄝˋ mun4 ho2 lo4 zoek3 lit. you can net sparrows at the door (idiom); fig. completely deserted
• 门庭若市 門庭若市 mén tíng ruò shì ㄇㄣˊ ㄊㄧㄥˊ ㄖㄨㄛˋ ㄕˋ mun4 ting4 joek6 si5 front yard as busy as a marketplace (idiom); a place with many visitors
• 扪心无愧 捫心無愧 mén xīn wú kuì ㄇㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄨˊ ㄎㄨㄟˋ mun4 sam1 mou4 kwai3 lit. look into one's heart, no shame (idiom); with a clear conscience
• 面不改色 miàn bù gǎi sè ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄍㄞˇ ㄙㄜˋ min6 bat1 goi2 sik1 (idiom) not bat an eyelid
• 面恶心善 面惡心善 miàn è xīn shàn ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄜˋ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄕㄢˋ min6 ok3 sam1 sin6 to have a mean-looking face but a heart of gold (idiom)
• 面黄肌瘦 面黃肌瘦 miàn huáng jī shòu ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄐㄧ ㄕㄡˋ min6 wong4 gei1 sau3 lit. face yellow and body emaciated (idiom); fig. malnourished and sickly in appearance
• 绵里藏针 綿裡藏針 mián lǐ cáng zhēn ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄌㄧˇ ㄘㄤˊ ㄓㄣ min4 leoi5 cong4 zam1 lit. a needle concealed in silk floss (idiom); fig. ruthless character behind a gentle appearance; a wolf in sheep's clothing; an iron fist in a velvet glove
• 勉力而为 勉力而為 miǎn lì ér wéi ㄇㄧㄢˇ ㄌㄧˋ ㄦˊ ㄨㄟˊ min5 lik6 ji4 wai4 to try one's best to do sth (idiom)
• 面露不悦 面露不悅 miàn lù bù yuè ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄌㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄩㄝˋ min6 lou6 bat1 jyut6 to show unhappiness or displeasure (idiom)
• 绵绵瓜瓞 綿綿瓜瓞 mián mián guā dié ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄧㄢˊ ㄍㄨㄚ ㄉㄧㄝˊ lit. (of a melon vine) laden with melons of all sizes (idiom); fig. (of descendants) to thrive and prosper for generations
• 面面俱到 miàn miàn jù dào ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄩˋ ㄉㄠˋ min6 min6 keoi1 dou3 (idiom) take care of everything; handle everything
• 面面相觑 面面相覷 miàn miàn xiāng qù ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄒㄧㄤ ㄑㄩˋ min6 min6 soeng1 ceoi3 to look at each other in dismay (idiom)
• 面目全非 miàn mù quán fēi ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄈㄟ min6 muk6 cyun4 fei1 nothing remains the same (idiom); change beyond recognition
• 面目一新 miàn mù yī xīn ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄇㄨˋ ㄧ ㄒㄧㄣ min6 muk6 jat1 san1 complete change (idiom); facelift; We're in a wholly new situation.
• 面如灰土 miàn rú huī tǔ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄏㄨㄟ ㄊㄨˇ min6 jyu4 fui1 tou2 ashen-faced (idiom)
• 面如土色 miàn rú tǔ sè ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄊㄨˇ ㄙㄜˋ min6 jyu4 tou2 sik1 ashen-faced (idiom)
• 面色如土 miàn sè rú tǔ ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄙㄜˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄊㄨˇ min6 sik1 jyu4 tou2 ashen-faced (idiom)
• 面授机宜 面授機宜 miàn shòu jī yí ㄇㄧㄢˋ ㄕㄡˋ ㄐㄧ ㄧˊ min6 sau6 gei1 ji4 (idiom) to brief sb in person on the line of action to pursue; to advise face-to-face on how to deal with the present situation
• 勉为其难 勉為其難 miǎn wéi qí nán ㄇㄧㄢˇ ㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄋㄢˊ min5 wai4 kei4 naan4 to tackle a difficult job (idiom); to do sth reluctantly
• 渺乎其微 miǎo hū qí wēi ㄇㄧㄠˇ ㄏㄨ ㄑㄧˊ ㄨㄟ miu5 fu4 kei4 mei4 remote and insignificant (idiom)
• 妙趣横生 妙趣橫生 miào qù héng shēng ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄑㄩˋ ㄏㄥˊ ㄕㄥ miu6 ceoi3 waang4 sang1 endlessly interesting (idiom); very witty
• 妙手回春 miào shǒu huí chūn ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄏㄨㄟˊ ㄔㄨㄣ miu6 sau2 wui4 ceon1 (idiom) (of a doctor) to effect a miracle cure
• 渺无人烟 渺無人煙 miǎo wú rén yān ㄇㄧㄠˇ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄧㄢ miu5 mou4 jan4 jin1 remote and uninhabited (idiom); deserted; God-forsaken
• 妙语连珠 妙語連珠 miào yǔ lián zhū ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄩˇ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄓㄨ miu6 jyu5 lin4 zyu1 sparkling with wit (idiom)
• 妙语如珠 妙語如珠 miào yǔ rú zhū ㄇㄧㄠˋ ㄩˇ ㄖㄨˊ ㄓㄨ miu6 jyu5 jyu4 zyu1 sparkling with wit (idiom)
• 密不可分 mì bù kě fēn ㄇㄧˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄜˇ ㄈㄣ mat6 bat1 ho2 fan1 inextricably linked (idiom); inseparable
• 迷不知返 mí bù zhī fǎn ㄇㄧˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓ ㄈㄢˇ mai4 bat1 zi1 faan2 to go astray and to not know how to get back on the right path (idiom)
• 灭此朝食 滅此朝食 miè cǐ zhāo shí ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄘˇ ㄓㄠ ㄕˊ mit6 ci2 ziu1 sik6 lit. not to have breakfast until the enemy is destroyed; anxious to do battle (idiom)
• 灭顶之灾 滅頂之災 miè dǐng zhī zāi ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄓ ㄗㄞ mit6 ding2 zi1 zoi1 (idiom) catastrophic disaster; devastating calamity
• 灭绝人性 滅絕人性 miè jué rén xìng ㄇㄧㄝˋ ㄐㄩㄝˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄒㄧㄥˋ mit6 zyut6 jan4 sing3 (idiom) to be devoid of all humanity; inhuman; bestial
• 迷离惝恍 迷離惝恍 mí lí chǎng huǎng ㄇㄧˊ ㄌㄧˊ ㄔㄤˇ ㄏㄨㄤˇ mai4 lei4 tong2 fong2 (idiom) blurred; confusing
• 靡靡之音 mǐ mǐ zhī yīn ㄇㄧˇ ㄇㄧˇ ㄓ ㄧㄣ mei5 mei5 zi1 jam1 (idiom) decadent music
• 民变峰起 民變峰起 mín biàn fēng qǐ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄈㄥ ㄑㄧˇ man4 bin3 fung1 hei2 seething discontent (idiom); widespread popular grievances
• 民不聊生 mín bù liáo shēng ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄠˊ ㄕㄥ man4 bat1 liu4 sang1 (idiom) the people have no way to make a living (from Records of the Grand Historian 史记)
• 明辨是非 míng biàn shì fēi ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄧㄢˋ ㄕˋ ㄈㄟ ming4 bin6 si6 fei1 to distinguish right and wrong (idiom)
• 名不副实 名不副實 míng bù fù shí ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨˋ ㄕˊ ming4 bat1 fu3 sat6 the name does not reflect the reality (idiom); more in name than in fact; Reality does not live up to the name.; Excellent theory, but the practice does not bear it out.
• 名不符实 名不符實 míng bù fú shí ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄈㄨˊ ㄕˊ ming4 bat1 fu4 sat6 the name does not correspond to reality (idiom); it doesn't live up to its reputation
• 名不虚传 名不虛傳 míng bù xū chuán ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄩ ㄔㄨㄢˊ ming4 bat1 heoi1 cyun4 (idiom) to live up to one's famous name; its reputation is well deserved
• 名草有主 míng cǎo yǒu zhǔ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄘㄠˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄓㄨˇ ming4 cou2 jau5 zyu2 (idiom) (humorous) (of a man) already taken (male counterpart of 名花有主)
• 明察暗访 明察暗訪 míng chá àn fǎng ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄢˋ ㄈㄤˇ ming4 caat3 am3 fong2 open enquiries and secret search (idiom); to investigate openly and in secret; taking information from all sides
• 明察秋毫 míng chá qiū háo ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄚˊ ㄑㄧㄡ ㄏㄠˊ ming4 caat3 cau1 hou4 lit. seeing clearly the downy feathers of autumn (idiom, from Mencius); fig. perceptive of even the finest detail
• 明窗净几 明窗淨几 míng chuāng jìng jī ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄨㄤ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄐㄧ ming4 coeng1 zing6 gei1 lit. clear window and clean table (idiom); fig. bright and clean (room)
• 名垂青史 míng chuí qīng shǐ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄔㄨㄟˊ ㄑㄧㄥ ㄕˇ ming4 seoi4 cing1 si2 lit. reputation will go down in history (idiom); fig. achievements will earn eternal glory
• 名从主人 名從主人 míng cóng zhǔ rén ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄘㄨㄥˊ ㄓㄨˇ ㄖㄣˊ ming4 cung4 zyu2 jan4 (idiom) to refer to sth by the name its owners use; to refer to a place by the name its inhabitants use (e.g. refer to Seoul as 首尔 rather than 汉城)
• 名存实亡 名存實亡 míng cún shí wáng ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄘㄨㄣˊ ㄕˊ ㄨㄤˊ ming4 cyun4 sat6 mong4 the name remains, but the reality is gone (idiom)
• 酩酊大醉 mǐng dǐng dà zuì ㄇㄧㄥˇ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄉㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄟˋ ming5 ding2 daai6 zeoi3 (idiom) dead drunk; plastered; as drunk as a lord
• 名副其实 名副其實 míng fù qí shí ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄈㄨˋ ㄑㄧˊ ㄕˊ ming4 fu3 kei4 sat6 not just in name only, but also in reality (idiom); aptly named; worthy of the name
• 明岗暗哨 明崗暗哨 míng gǎng àn shào ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄍㄤˇ ㄢˋ ㄕㄠˋ ming4 gong1 am3 saau3 both covert and undercover (officers) keeping watch (idiom)
• 命归黄泉 命歸黃泉 mìng guī Huáng quán ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄟ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ming6 gwai1 wong4 cyun4 lit. to return to the Yellow Springs 黄泉 (idiom); fig. to die; to meet one's end
• 名花有主 míng huā yǒu zhǔ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄧㄡˇ ㄓㄨˇ ming4 faa1 jau5 zyu2 (idiom) (of a woman) already taken
• 名缰利锁 名韁利鎖 míng jiāng lì suǒ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄤ ㄌㄧˋ ㄙㄨㄛˇ ming4 goeng1 lei6 so2 (idiom) the shackles of fame and fortune
• 明镜高悬 明鏡高懸 míng jìng gāo xuán ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄍㄠ ㄒㄩㄢˊ ming4 geng3 gou1 jyun4 perspicacious and impartial in judgment (idiom)
• 鸣金收兵 鳴金收兵 míng jīn shōu bīng ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄕㄡ ㄅㄧㄥ ming4 gam1 sau1 bing1 to beat the gong to recall troops (idiom); to order a retreat
• 鸣金收军 鳴金收軍 míng jīn shōu jūn ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄕㄡ ㄐㄩㄣ ming4 gam1 sau1 gwan1 to beat the gong to recall troops (idiom); to order a retreat
• 名利双收 名利雙收 míng lì shuāng shōu ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄕㄨㄤ ㄕㄡ ming4 lei6 soeng1 sau1 both fame and fortune (idiom); both virtue and reward
• 名落孙山 名落孫山 míng luò Sūn Shān ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄙㄨㄣ ㄕㄢ ming4 lok6 syun1 saan1 lit. to fall behind Sun Shan 孙山 (who came last in the imperial examination) (idiom); fig. to fail an exam; to fall behind (in a competition)
• 名满天下 名滿天下 míng mǎn tiān xià ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄢˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ming4 mun5 tin1 haa6 (idiom) famous throughout the land; renowned far and wide
• 名门望族 名門望族 míng mén wàng zú ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄣˊ ㄨㄤˋ ㄗㄨˊ ming4 mun4 mong6 zuk6 offspring a famous family (idiom); good breeding; blue blood
• 名目繁多 míng mù fán duō ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄇㄨˋ ㄈㄢˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ming4 muk6 faan4 do1 names of many kinds (idiom); items of every description
• 明日黄花 明日黃花 míng rì huáng huā ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄖˋ ㄏㄨㄤˊ ㄏㄨㄚ ming4 jat6 wong4 faa1 lit. chrysanthemums after the Double Ninth Festival (idiom); fig. outdated; thing of the past; dead letter
• 明升暗降 míng shēng àn jiàng ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄥ ㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ ming4 sing1 am3 gong3 (idiom) to kick sb upstairs
• 命途多舛 mìng tú duō chuǎn ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄊㄨˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄔㄨㄢˇ ming6 tou4 do1 cyun2 to meet with many difficulties in one's life (idiom)
• 冥顽不灵 冥頑不靈 míng wán bù líng ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄢˊ ㄅㄨˋ ㄌㄧㄥˊ ming5 waan4 bat1 ling4 (idiom) pigheaded
• 铭心刻骨 銘心刻骨 míng xīn kè gǔ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄎㄜˋ ㄍㄨˇ ming5 sam1 hak1 gwat1 lit. etched into one's heart and bones (idiom); fig. etched in one's memory; remembered with gratitude as long as one lives
• 铭心镂骨 銘心鏤骨 míng xīn lòu gǔ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄡˋ ㄍㄨˇ ming5 sam1 lau6 gwat1 engraved in one's heart and carved in one's bones (idiom); to remember a benefactor as long as one lives; undying gratitude
• 名扬四海 名揚四海 míng yáng sì hǎi ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄧㄤˊ ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ ming4 joeng4 sei3 hoi2 to become known far and wide (idiom); famous
• 命在旦夕 mìng zài dàn xī ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄗㄞˋ ㄉㄢˋ ㄒㄧ ming6 zoi6 daan3 zik6 to be at death's door (idiom)
• 名噪一时 名噪一時 míng zào yī shí ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄗㄠˋ ㄧ ㄕˊ ming4 cou3 jat1 si4 to achieve fame among one's contemporaries (idiom); temporary or local celebrity
• 明哲保身 míng zhé bǎo shēn ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄜˊ ㄅㄠˇ ㄕㄣ ming4 zit3 bou2 san1 a wise man looks after his own hide (idiom); to put one's own safety before matters of principle
• 明争暗斗 明爭暗鬥 míng zhēng àn dòu ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄥ ㄢˋ ㄉㄡˋ ming4 zang1 am3 dau3 (idiom) to fight openly and maneuver covertly
• 明知故犯 míng zhī gù fàn ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓ ㄍㄨˋ ㄈㄢˋ ming4 zi1 gu3 faan6 deliberate violation (idiom); intentional crime
• 明知故问 明知故問 míng zhī gù wèn ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓ ㄍㄨˋ ㄨㄣˋ ming4 zi1 gu3 man6 (idiom) to ask a question, already knowing the answer
• 名重识暗 名重識暗 míng zhòng shí àn ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄕˊ ㄢˋ ming4 zung6 sik1 am3 of great reputation but shallow in knowledge (idiom)
• 命中注定 命中註定 mìng zhōng zhù dìng ㄇㄧㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄓㄨˋ ㄉㄧㄥˋ ming6 zung1 zyu3 ding6 decreed by fate (idiom); destined; fated
• 明珠暗投 míng zhū àn tóu ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄓㄨ ㄢˋ ㄊㄡˊ ming4 zyu1 am3 tau4 to cast pearls before swine (idiom); not to get proper recognition for one's talents
• 民穷财尽 民窮財盡 mín qióng cái jìn ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄑㄩㄥˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄐㄧㄣˋ man4 kung4 coi4 zeon6 the people are impoverished, their means exhausted (idiom); to drive the nation to bankruptcy
• 民生凋敝 mín shēng diāo bì ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄕㄥ ㄉㄧㄠ ㄅㄧˋ man4 sang1 diu1 bai6 the people's livelihood is reduced to destitution (idiom); a time of famine and impoverishment
• 民怨鼎沸 mín yuàn dǐng fèi ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄩㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄈㄟˋ man4 jyun3 ding2 fai3 seething discontent (idiom); popular grievances boil over
• 民怨沸腾 民怨沸騰 mín yuàn fèi téng ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄩㄢˋ ㄈㄟˋ ㄊㄥˊ man4 jyun3 fai3 tang4 seething discontent (idiom); popular grievances boil over
• 民贼独夫 民賊獨夫 mín zéi dú fū ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄗㄟˊ ㄉㄨˊ ㄈㄨ man4 caak6 duk6 fu1 tyrant and oppressor of the people (idiom); traitorous dictator
• 民脂民膏 mín zhī mín gāo ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄓ ㄇㄧㄣˊ ㄍㄠ man4 zi1 man4 gou1 lit. the fat and wealth of the people (idiom); the nation's hard-won wealth (esp. as an object of unscrupulous exploitation); the people's blood, sweat and tears
• 弥天大谎 彌天大謊 mí tiān dà huǎng ㄇㄧˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄉㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄤˇ nei4 tin1 daai6 fong1 a pack of lies (idiom)
• 谬种流传 謬種流傳 miù zhǒng liú chuán ㄇㄧㄡˋ ㄓㄨㄥˇ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄔㄨㄢˊ mau6 zung2 lau4 cyun4 to pass on errors or lies (idiom); the propagation of misconceptions
• 米已成炊 mǐ yǐ chéng chuī ㄇㄧˇ ㄧˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄔㄨㄟ mai5 ji5 sing4 ceoi1 lit. the rice has already been cooked (idiom); fig. what is done cannot be undone
• 抹不下脸 抹不下臉 mǒ bù xià liǎn ㄇㄛˇ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄌㄧㄢˇ mut3 bat1 haa6 lim5 to be unable to keep a straight face (idiom)
• 没齿难忘 沒齒難忘 mò chǐ nán wàng ㄇㄛˋ ㄔˇ ㄋㄢˊ ㄨㄤˋ mut6 ci2 naan4 mong4 hard to forget even after one's teeth fall out (idiom); to remember a benefactor as long as one lives; undying gratitude
• 磨穿铁砚 磨穿鐵硯 mó chuān tiě yàn ㄇㄛˊ ㄔㄨㄢ ㄊㄧㄝˇ ㄧㄢˋ mo4 cyun1 tit3 jin6 to grind one's way through an ink stone; to persevere in a difficult task (idiom); to study diligently (idiom)
• 磨杵成针 磨杵成針 mó chǔ chéng zhēn ㄇㄛˊ ㄔㄨˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄣ mo4 cyu5 sing4 zam1 to grind an iron bar down to a fine needle (idiom); fig. to persevere in a difficult task; to study diligently
• 磨刀霍霍 mó dāo huò huò ㄇㄛˊ ㄉㄠ ㄏㄨㄛˋ ㄏㄨㄛˋ mo4 dou1 fok3 fok3 lit. to sharpen one's sword (idiom); fig. to prepare to attack; to be getting ready for battle
• 摩顶放踵 摩頂放踵 mó dǐng fàng zhǒng ㄇㄛˊ ㄉㄧㄥˇ ㄈㄤˋ ㄓㄨㄥˇ mo1 deng2 fong3 zung2 to rub one's head and heels (idiom); to slave for the benefit of others; to wear oneself out for the general good
• 摸金校尉 mō jīn xiào wèi ㄇㄛ ㄐㄧㄣ ㄒㄧㄠˋ ㄨㄟˋ mo2 gam1 gaau3 wai3 (idiom) military title said to have existed in the Han dynasty, allegedly granted to officials tasked with retrieving gold from tombs to fund military campaigns; (in popular fiction) tomb raider
• 莫名其妙 mò míng qí miào ㄇㄛˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄑㄧˊ ㄇㄧㄠˋ mok6 ming4 kei4 miu6 (idiom) baffling; bizarre; without rhyme or reason; inexplicable
• 默默无闻 默默無聞 mò mò wú wén ㄇㄛˋ ㄇㄛˋ ㄨˊ ㄨㄣˊ mak6 mak6 mou4 man4 (idiom) unknown; unrenowned
• 摩拳擦掌 mó quán cā zhǎng ㄇㄛˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄘㄚ ㄓㄤˇ mo1 kyun4 caat3 zoeng2 fig. to rub one's fists and wipe one's palms (idiom); to roll up one's sleeves for battle; eager to get into action or start on a task
• 漠然置之 mò rán zhì zhī ㄇㄛˋ ㄖㄢˊ ㄓˋ ㄓ mok6 jin4 zi3 zi1 to set to one side and ignore (idiom); quite indifferent; cold and uncaring
• 墨守成规 墨守成規 mò shǒu chéng guī ㄇㄛˋ ㄕㄡˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄍㄨㄟ mak6 sau2 sing4 kwai1 hidebound by convention (idiom)
• 谋财害命 謀財害命 móu cái hài mìng ㄇㄡˊ ㄘㄞˊ ㄏㄞˋ ㄇㄧㄥˋ mau4 coi4 hoi6 meng6 to plot and kill sb for his property (idiom); to murder for money
• 谋臣猛将 謀臣猛將 móu chén měng jiàng ㄇㄡˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄇㄥˇ ㄐㄧㄤˋ mau4 san4 maang5 zoeng3 strategic experts and powerful generals (idiom)
• 谋臣如雨 謀臣如雨 móu chén rú yǔ ㄇㄡˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄖㄨˊ ㄩˇ mau4 san4 jyu4 jyu5 strategic experts as thick as rain (idiom); no shortage of advisers on strategy
• 谋臣武将 謀臣武將 móu chén wǔ jiàng ㄇㄡˊ ㄔㄣˊ ㄨˇ ㄐㄧㄤˋ mau4 san4 mou5 zoeng3 strategic experts and powerful generals (idiom)
• 莫衷一是 mò zhōng yī shì ㄇㄛˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄧ ㄕˋ mok6 cung1 jat1 si6 unable to reach a decision (idiom); cannot agree on the right choice; no unanimous decision; still a matter of discussion
• 磨嘴皮子 mó zuǐ pí zi ㄇㄛˊ ㄗㄨㄟˇ ㄆㄧˊ ˙ㄗ mo4 zeoi2 pei4 zi2 to wear out the skin of one's teeth (idiom); pointlessly blather; to talk incessant nonsense; blah blah
• 目不见睫 目不見睫 mù bù jiàn jié ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄢˋ ㄐㄧㄝˊ muk6 bat1 gin3 zit6 lit. the eye cannot see the eyelashes (idiom); fig. unable to see one's own faults; to lack self-awareness; truths too close to home
• 目不交睫 mù bù jiāo jié ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄠ ㄐㄧㄝˊ muk6 bat1 gaau1 zit6 lit. the eyelashes do not come together (idiom); fig. to not sleep a wink
• 目不窥园 目不窺園 mù bù kuī yuán ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄎㄨㄟ ㄩㄢˊ muk6 bat1 kwai1 jyun4 lit. not even peek at the garden; fig. to be absorbed in one's studies (idiom)
• 目不忍视 目不忍視 mù bù rěn shì ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄣˇ ㄕˋ muk6 bat1 jan2 si6 lit. the eye cannot bear to see it (idiom); fig. pitiful to behold
• 目不识丁 目不識丁 mù bù shí dīng ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄕˊ ㄉㄧㄥ muk6 bat1 sik1 ding1 lit. the eye cannot recognize the letter T (idiom); totally illiterate
• 目不暇给 目不暇給 mù bù xiá jǐ ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˊ ㄐㄧˇ muk6 bat1 haa6 kap1 lit. the eye cannot take it all in (idiom); fig. too many good things to see; a feast for the eyes
• 目不暇接 mù bù xiá jiē ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˊ ㄐㄧㄝ muk6 bat1 haa6 zip3 lit. too much for the eye to take in (idiom); a feast for the eyes
• 目不斜视 目不斜視 mù bù xié shì ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄝˊ ㄕˋ muk6 bat1 ce4 si6 not to glance sideways (idiom); to gaze fixedly; to be fully concentrated; to preserve a correct attitude
• 目不转睛 目不轉睛 mù bù zhuǎn jīng ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄐㄧㄥ muk6 bat1 zyun2 zing1 unable to take one's eyes off (idiom); to gaze steadily; to stare
• 目不转瞬 目不轉瞬 mù bù zhuǎn shùn ㄇㄨˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄢˇ ㄕㄨㄣˋ muk6 bat1 zyun2 seon3 gazing fixedly (idiom)
• 目瞪口呆 mù dèng kǒu dāi ㄇㄨˋ ㄉㄥˋ ㄎㄡˇ ㄉㄞ muk6 cing4 hau2 ngoi4 (idiom) dumbstruck; stupefied; stunned
• 目光呆滞 目光呆滯 mù guāng dāi zhì ㄇㄨˋ ㄍㄨㄤ ㄉㄞ ㄓˋ muk6 gwong1 ngoi4 zai6 to have a lifeless look in one's eyes (idiom)
• 暮鼓晨钟 暮鼓晨鐘 mù gǔ chén zhōng ㄇㄨˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄔㄣˊ ㄓㄨㄥ mou6 gu2 san4 zung1 lit. evening drum, morning bell (idiom); fig. Buddhist monastic practice; the passage of time in a disciplined existence
• 沐猴而冠 mù hóu ér guàn ㄇㄨˋ ㄏㄡˊ ㄦˊ ㄍㄨㄢˋ muk6 hau4 ji4 gun1 lit. a monkey wearing a hat (idiom); fig. worthless person in imposing attire
• 目空四海 mù kōng sì hǎi ㄇㄨˋ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄙˋ ㄏㄞˇ muk6 hung1 sei3 hoi2 the eye can see nothing worthwhile all around (idiom); arrogant; condescending; supercilious
• 目空一切 mù kōng yī qiè ㄇㄨˋ ㄎㄨㄥ ㄧ ㄑㄧㄝˋ muk6 hung1 jat1 cai3 the eye can see nothing worthwhile all around (idiom); arrogant; condescending; supercilious
• 慕名而来 慕名而來 mù míng ér lái ㄇㄨˋ ㄇㄧㄥˊ ㄦˊ ㄌㄞˊ mou6 ming4 ji4 loi4 to come to a place on account of its reputation (idiom); attracted to visit a famous location
• 目迷五色 mù mí wǔ sè ㄇㄨˋ ㄇㄧˊ ㄨˇ ㄙㄜˋ muk6 mai4 ng5 sik1 the eye is bewildered by five colors (idiom); a dazzling riot of colors
• 木讷寡言 木訥寡言 mù nè guǎ yán ㄇㄨˋ ㄋㄜˋ ㄍㄨㄚˇ ㄧㄢˊ muk6 neot6 gwaa2 jin4 honest and unaffected but not talkative (idiom)
• 木人石心 mù rén shí xīn ㄇㄨˋ ㄖㄣˊ ㄕˊ ㄒㄧㄣ muk6 jan4 sek6 sam1 lit. body made of wood, heart made of stone (idiom); fig. heartless
• 暮色苍茫 暮色蒼茫 mù sè cāng máng ㄇㄨˋ ㄙㄜˋ ㄘㄤ ㄇㄤˊ mou6 sik1 cong1 mong4 the hazy dusk of twilight (idiom)
• 目挑心招 mù tiǎo xīn zhāo ㄇㄨˋ ㄊㄧㄠˇ ㄒㄧㄣ ㄓㄠ muk6 tiu1 sam1 ziu1 the eye incites, the heart invites (idiom); flirtatious; making eyes at sb
• 目无法纪 目無法紀 mù wú fǎ jì ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄈㄚˇ ㄐㄧˋ muk6 mou4 faat3 gei2 with no regard for law or discipline (idiom); flouting the law and disregarding all rules; in complete disorder
• 目无全牛 目無全牛 mù wú quán niú ㄇㄨˋ ㄨˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ ㄋㄧㄡˊ muk6 mou4 cyun4 ngau4 to see the ox already cut up into joints (idiom); extremely skilled; able to see through the problem at one glance
• 目眩神迷 mù xuàn shén mí ㄇㄨˋ ㄒㄩㄢˋ ㄕㄣˊ ㄇㄧˊ muk6 jyun6 san4 mai4 to be dazzled and stunned (idiom)
• 木已成舟 mù yǐ chéng zhōu ㄇㄨˋ ㄧˇ ㄔㄥˊ ㄓㄡ muk6 ji5 sing4 zau1 lit. the timber has been turned into a boat already (idiom); fig. what is done cannot be undone
• 沐雨栉风 沐雨櫛風 mù yǔ zhì fēng ㄇㄨˋ ㄩˇ ㄓˋ ㄈㄥ muk6 jyu5 zit3 fung1 to work unceasingly regardless of the weather (idiom)
• 目怔口呆 mù zhēng kǒu dāi ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄥ ㄎㄡˇ ㄉㄞ muk6 zing1 hau2 ngoi4 lit. eye startled, mouth struck dumb (idiom); stunned; stupefied
• 目中无人 目中無人 mù zhōng wú rén ㄇㄨˋ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄖㄣˊ muk6 zung1 mou4 jan4 to consider everyone else beneath one (idiom); so arrogant that no-one else matters; condescending; to go about with one's nose in the air