Chinese idioms (惯用语)

抱金娃娃 bàojīnwáwa

hold a golden baby

Suddenly gain huge wealth or large profits.
豹子胆 bàozidǎn

leopard's gall bladder

Extraordinary boldness. Said of someone daring, as in 'you must have eaten a leopard's gall'.
爆冷门儿 bàolěngménr

a cold gate bursts open

An unexpected result occurs, especially an upset in a contest. The phrase comes from gambling on an outside bet.
背包袱 bēibāofu

carry a bundle on one's back

Be weighed down by worries or mental burdens.
背床板 bēichuángbǎn

carry the bed board on one's back

The book glosses it as lying in bed, sleeping. Colloquial.
背黑锅 bēihēiguō

carry the black pot on one's back

Take the blame for someone else's mistake. English: 'be the scapegoat'.
背十字架 bēishízìjià

carry the cross

Suffer and make great sacrifices for a noble cause. Approving, with a Christian image.
背着牛头不认赃 bēizhe niútóu bù rèn zāng

carrying the ox head yet denying the stolen goods

Stubbornly denying guilt despite clear proof. Critical.
北极星 běijíxīng

the North Star

Something or someone that gives clear direction and guidance, like the star travellers steer by. Approving.
背后插一刀 bèihòu chā yī dāo

stick a knife in someone's back

To secretly attack or slander someone when they are off guard. Critical. Same as English 'stab in the back'.
背靠背 bèikàobèi

back to back

Doing something such as criticising or reporting on someone without them present or without face-to-face discussion. Often implies lack of openness.
被人当枪使 bèi rén dàng qiāng shǐ

be used as a gun by someone

To be used as a tool by someone else to attack others or serve their ends. Critical of the manipulator, sympathetic or scornful toward the dupe. Compare 'be a cat's paw'.
被人卖了还去数钱 bèi rén màile hái qù shǔ qián

be sold by someone and still count the money for them

To be betrayed or exploited and not realise it, even feeling pleased. Mocking of someone's naivety.
笨鸟先飞 bènniǎoxiānfēi

the clumsy bird flies first

Those less capable start early and work harder to avoid falling behind. Usually said modestly about oneself.
比死人多口气 bǐ sǐrén duō kǒu qì

one more breath than a dead man

Describes a spineless, useless person with hardly any vigour. Scornful and coarse.

May offend: vulgar language
比翼鸟 bǐyìniǎo

birds flying wing to wing

A loving married couple, after the legendary birds that fly side by side. Approving.
笔杆子 bǐgǎnzi

the pen shaft

Someone good at writing, such as a writer or speechwriter. Neutral to approving.
必修课 bìxiūkè

compulsory course

Something one must do or learn. Often used figuratively for an unavoidable task.
闭门羹 bìméngēng

closed-door soup

A refusal to receive a visitor; to be turned away at the door. Used in 'get the cold shoulder'-type situations (吃闭门羹).
闭着眼睛说瞎话 bìzhe yǎnjing shuō xiāhuà

talk nonsense with eyes shut

To tell lies without regard to the facts. Critical. Close to 'lie through one's teeth'.
避风港 bìfēnggǎng

harbour sheltered from the wind

A place of refuge from danger or trouble, such as a safe haven. Neutral or approving.
鞭打快牛 biāndǎkuàiniú

whip the fast ox

To pile excessive demands on the most capable or hardworking, while others are spared. Critical.
鞭打快腿儿驴 biāndǎ kuàitUǐrlǘ

whip the fast-legged donkey

A variant of 鞭打快牛: overworking the most capable. Critical.
变色龙 biànsèlóng

chameleon

A person who changes stance or manner to suit circumstances and curry favour. Critical.
变戏法 biànxìfǎ

perform conjuring tricks

To use tricks or shifting devices to deceive people. Critical.
表面文章 biǎomiànwénzhāng

surface essay

Superficial show done for appearances without real substance. Critical (做表面文章).
别动队 biédòngduì

detached task force

Originally a unit sent apart from the main force on special missions; now a group that helps carry out some job. Often used loosely or humorously.
别人偷牛我拔桩 biéren tōu niú wǒ bázhuāng

others steal the ox, I pull up the post

Chasing a petty gain and ending up taking the blame for another's wrongdoing. Cautionary.
蹩脚货 biéjiǎohuò

shoddy goods

A person of poor quality or skill, or a poor-quality thing. Contemptuous.
瘪茄子 biěqiézi

shrivelled aubergine

Either someone lost for words and deflated, or a spineless, useless person. Mocking.
兵头将尾 bīngtóujiàngwěi

head of the soldiers, tail of the officers

The lowest-level person in charge, such as a squad or team leader.
并蒂莲 bìngdìlián

twin lotus on one stalk

A devoted married couple. Poetic and approving.
病篓子 bìnglǒuzi

sickness basket

A person who is often ill, a sickly person. Informal; can be teasing.
玻璃人 bōlirén

glass person

A person who is pure-hearted and transparent, open and easy to understand. Generally approving.
玻璃小鞋 bōlixiǎoxié

little glass shoes

A way a boss punishes or gets back at someone while looking fair and reasonable on the surface. Critical. Compare "to put the screws on someone" (the idea of 穿小鞋, making things hard for someone).
补窟窿 bǔkūlong

patch up a hole

To make up a shortfall or deficit, especially of money, often by covering one debt with another.
补漏洞 bǔlòudòng

patch up a hole

To fix gaps or flaws in a plan or system. The book says it is usually written 堵漏洞 (plug the loopholes).
不成器 bùchéngqì

not made into a vessel

Describes someone who will amount to nothing, often a disappointing child or younger person. Critical, scolding.
不倒翁 bùdǎowēng

a tumbler (a roly-poly toy that won't fall over)

A person who is slippery and pleases everyone so as always to stay safe from setbacks. Mildly mocking.
不到河边不脱鞋 bù dào hébiān bù tuō xié

don't take off your shoes until you reach the river

Don't act until conditions are ripe and you are sure. Cautious, practical; like "don't cross your bridges before you come to them".
不到黄河不死心 bù dào huánghé bù sǐxīn

not giving up until reaching the Yellow River

Variant of 不到黄河心不死: refusing to give up until all hope is gone. Usually mildly critical of stubbornness.
不对茬儿 bùduìchár

not matching the stubble

Two things don't fit or agree, such as accounts that conflict or a mood that doesn't suit the situation. Colloquial.
不对号 bùduìhào

the number doesn't match

Two things don't match or correspond, as when accounts or facts don't agree. Colloquial.
不费吹灰之力 bù fèi chuī huī zhī lì

not using the strength to blow away dust

Done with no effort at all; very easy. Like "without lifting a finger".
不管部长 bùguǎnbùzhǎng

minister without portfolio

A person who takes charge of whatever nobody else handles. Used humorously or teasingly of someone who meddles in everything.
不管三七二十一 bùguǎn sān qī èrshíyī

not caring that three times seven is twenty-one

Acting recklessly regardless of the consequences or the facts. Usually critical; like "regardless of the consequences".
不会有好果子吃 bù huì yǒu hǎo guǒzi chī

won't have good fruit to eat

Won't come to a good end; said as a warning or prediction about someone who does wrong. Threatening or critical.
不见兔子不撒鹰 bù jiàn tùzi bù sā yīng

not releasing the hawk until the hare is seen

Not acting until the moment is right or there is a sure gain. Cautious, sometimes shrewd or calculating.
不解渴 bùjiěkě

doesn't quench the thirst

Describes a desire that isn't fully satisfied. Colloquial; "not enough to satisfy".
不开眼 bùkāiyǎn

eyes not open

Narrow in experience; not knowing better or not recognising who or what is important. Mildly scolding.
不买账 bùmǎizhàng

not paying the bill

Refusing to accept someone's demands, authority or claims of ability; not being impressed. Colloquial.
不摸底 bùmōdǐ

not feeling the bottom

Not knowing the true situation. Colloquial; "in the dark about the facts".
不怕鬼 bùpàguǐ

not afraid of ghosts

Not afraid of bad people or evil forces. Approving.
不认账 bùrènzhàng

not acknowledging the account

Denying what one said or did; refusing to own up. Critical.
不上钩 bùshànggōu

not taking the hook

Not falling for a lure or trick. Colloquial.
不识货 bùshíhuò

not recognising goods

Unable to tell real from fake or good from bad. Often said of someone who fails to appreciate something valuable.
不识庐山真面目 bù shí lúshān zhēn miànmù

not knowing Mount Lu's true face

Failing to see the real nature of something, often because one is too close to it. From a Su Shi poem; literary but widely used.
不是好吃的果子 bù shì hǎo chī de guǒzi

not a tasty fruit to eat

Describes a person or matter that is tough to deal with. Often a warning: "not to be trifled with".
不顺眼 bùshùnyǎn

not pleasing to the eye

Annoying or disagreeable to look at; disliked. Colloquial.
不死也得扒层皮 bù sǐ yě děi bā céng pí

even if you don't die, you'll have to peel off a layer of skin

Variant of 不死也得掉层皮: suffering badly or being exhausted.
不死也得掉层皮 bù sǐ yě děi diào céng pí

even if you don't die, you'll lose a layer of skin

Describes going through great suffering, or being utterly worn out. Exaggeration, colloquial.
不吐核 bùtǔhé

doesn't spit out the pit

Short for "eats dates without spitting out the pits": swallowing everything; said of a ruthless, merciless person. Critical.
不吐口 bùtǔkǒu

not letting it out of the mouth

Refusing to state one's position or give consent. Colloquial.
不问青红皂白 bù wèn qīnghóngzàobái

not asking about blue, red, black or white

Not bothering to find out right from wrong or the facts before acting. Critical; "without asking questions".
不显山，不露水 bù xiǎn shān, bù lòu shuǐ

not showing the mountain, not revealing the water

Keeping one's abilities, intentions or secrets hidden; staying low-key. Neutral to slightly wary.
不像话 bùxiànghuà

doesn't resemble speech

Unreasonable or outrageous; behaviour that can't be tolerated. Said in disapproval.
不信邪 bùxìnxié

not believing in evil

Not afraid of evil forces or bad influences, and refusing to be cowed. Approving or defiant.
不沾边儿 bùzhānbiānr

not touching the edge

Having no connection with something, or far from the truth. Colloquial.
不沾弦 bùzhānxián

not touching the string

Variant of 不沾边儿: unrelated or far from the point.
不着调 bùzháodiào

not in tune

Originally singing off-key; describes speech or behaviour that is off, unreliable or inappropriate. Mildly critical.
不知吃几碗干饭 bù zhī chī jǐ wǎn gānfàn

not knowing how many bowls of dry rice one eats

Not knowing how little one is capable of; lacking self-awareness. Mocking.
不知道马王爷三只眼 bù zhīdào mǎwángyé sān zhī yǎn

not knowing Lord Ma has three eyes

Not knowing how formidable someone is, and so offending them. Usually a warning or threat: "you'll see who you're dealing with".
不知道庙门朝哪儿开 bù zhīdào miàomén cháo nǎr kāi

not knowing which way the temple gate opens

Having no idea how to find the right channel when seeking help or getting something done.
不知天高地厚 bù zhī tiāngāodìhòu

not knowing how high heaven is or how thick earth is

Ignorant and arrogant; not realising one's limits or the seriousness of things. Critical.
不值钱 bùzhíqián

not worth money

Describes words or deeds that have no value, or something worthless. Dismissive.
不做脸 bùzuòliǎn

not doing face

Failing to live up to expectations and so embarrassing parents or teachers. Critical, dialectal.
步步高 bùbùgāo

step by step higher

Rising steadily, especially of living standards or output. Auspicious wording used in praise or good wishes.
擦边球 cābiānqiú

edge ball

A ball that just clips the table edge in ping-pong; figuratively, an action at the very edge of what rules or policy allow. Often said of grey-area moves.
擦屁股 cāpìgu

wiping someone's bottom

Cleaning up the mess someone else left, or dealing with the aftermath of a problem. Colloquial and a bit coarse.

May offend: vulgar language
擦胭脂 cāyānzhi

putting on rouge

Originally women's make-up; now means covering up mistakes or flaws and making oneself or others look better. Mildly critical; like "putting lipstick on a pig".
擦油泥 cāyóuní

wipe off the oil sludge

To clear away outdated, unrealistic ideas and ways of thinking. Neutral, a bit bookish.
财神爷 cáishényé

god of wealth

Someone who has great wealth, controls the money, or brings people money. Often said half-jokingly of a client or sponsor.
踩脚后跟 cǎijiǎohòugēn

step on someone's heels

To slander or harm someone behind their back when they are off guard. Critical.
踩尾巴 cǎiwěiba

step on someone's tail

To touch on someone's weak point or fault and offend them.
踩窝子 cǎiwōzi

scout out the nest

To get inside the other side and find out their real situation. Often used of criminals casing a place.
踩一脚 cǎiyījiǎo

step on it once

Driver's slang for hitting the brake and stopping the car.
菜包子 càibāozi

vegetable bun

A person who looks good but has no real ability. Mildly mocking.
操胜券 cāoshèngquàn

hold the certificate of victory

To be very sure of success. Short for 稳操胜券.
草木人 cǎomùrén

a grass-and-tree person

An ordinary person of humble standing. People also use it modestly of themselves; it is dated and bookish.
草上飞 cǎoshàngfēi

flying over the grass

Describes swift, nimble movement, or a person who runs as if flying. It is usually admiring.
草头王 cǎotóuwáng

king of the grass-top

A bandit chief who holds a mountain stronghold as his own kingdom. It is slightly dismissive and mostly appears in historical settings.
插杠子 chāgàngzi

stick in a pole

A short form of 插一杠子: to step into a matter partway through and interfere.
插一杠子 chāyīgàngzi

stick in one pole

To step in midway and meddle in something that others are handling. It is mildly critical.
插一腿 chāyītuǐ

stick in a leg

A variant of 插一杠子: to butt in on something midway.
差十万八千里 chà shíwàn bāqiān lǐ

differ by 108,000 miles

Describes things that are very far apart in quality, degree or standard.
拆大庙 chāidàmiào

tear down the big temple

To abolish overlapping, bloated organisations. It is used in an official or administrative context.
拆东墙补西墙 chāi dōngqiáng bǔ xīqiáng

tear down the east wall to patch the west wall

To use a stopgap that solves one problem by creating another, without fixing the root cause. It is critical. It is close to "robbing Peter to pay Paul".
拆烂污 chāilànwū

discharge loose filth

To do a job so irresponsibly that it is ruined. It comes from Wu dialect and is coarse and critical.

May offend: vulgar language
拆台子 chāitáizi

pull apart the stage

To sabotage something so that it can't go smoothly, or to bring down a rival. It is critical.
掺沙子 chānshāzi

mix in sand

To bring some new members into a closed or cliquish group to change its make-up.

Every kind of Chinese saying