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Chengyu Library

Search by characters, pinyin, or meaning. You can also browse idioms about animals or read how to use chengyu in an essay.

画龙点睛huà lóng diǎn jīngTo add the finishing touch that perfects a work; to make a critical addition that brings something to life.Explore 守株待兔shǒu zhū dài tùTo wait idly for an unlikely opportunity; to rely on luck instead of effort.Explore 刻舟求剑kè zhōu qiú jiànTo cling to outdated methods or fail to adapt to changing circumstances.Explore 一箭双雕yī jiàn shuāng diāoTo achieve two goals with one action; kill two birds with one stone.Explore 愚公移山yú gōng yí shānTo persevere to achieve the impossible; determination overcomes obstacles.Explore 杯弓蛇影bēi gōng shé yǐngTo be overly suspicious or paranoid, mistaking harmless things for threats.Explore 掩耳盗铃yǎn ěr dào língTo deceive oneself by ignoring reality; self-delusion.Explore 井底之蛙jǐng dǐ zhī wāA person with a narrow worldview, unaware of the broader world.Explore 纸上谈兵zhǐ shàng tán bīngTo theorize without practical experience; armchair strategizing.Explore 朝三暮四zhāo sān mù sìTo be fickle or repeatedly change one’s mind; originally, to change the presentation without changing the substance.Explore 塞翁失马sài wēng shī mǎA misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.Explore 黔驴技穷qián lǘ jì qióngTo exhaust one’s abilities or tricks; to be at the end of one’s resources.Explore 邯郸学步hán dān xué bùTo imitate others and lose one’s own ability; to copy clumsily.Explore 滥竽充数làn yú chōng shùTo pass off as qualified despite lacking skill; to make up numbers.Explore 东施效颦dōng shī xiào pínTo blindly copy others, often poorly; unsuitable imitation.Explore 狐假虎威hú jiǎ hǔ wēiTo use another’s authority to intimidate; to borrow power.Explore 拔苗助长bá miáo zhù zhǎngTo harm something by forcing its progress; to be overly eager.Explore 自相矛盾zì xiāng máo dùnTo contradict oneself; to be logically inconsistent.Explore 亡羊补牢wáng yáng bǔ láoTo fix a mistake to prevent further loss; better late than never.Explore 南辕北辙nán yuán běi zhéTo act contrary to one’s goal; to go in the wrong direction.Explore 杞人忧天qǐ rén yōu tiānTo worry needlessly about impossible things; groundless fears.Explore 按图索骥àn tú suǒ jìTo search by following a guide or known clues; also, to follow a model too rigidly.Explore 对牛弹琴duì niú tán qínTo waste effort on an unappreciative audience; casting pearls before swine.Explore 饮鸩止渴yǐn zhèn zhǐ kěTo solve a problem with a worse one; short-term relief with long-term harm.Explore 螳螂捕蝉táng láng bǔ chánTo focus on small gains while ignoring bigger threats.Explore 乐不思蜀lè bù sī shǔTo be so content as to forget one’s roots or duties.Explore 画蛇添足huà shé tiān zúTo ruin something by overdoing it; gilding the lily.Explore 风声鹤唳fēng shēng hè lìTo be intensely alarmed, interpreting ordinary sounds or signs as danger.Explore 卧薪尝胆wò xīn cháng dǎnTo endure hardship for revenge or success; to stay determined.Explore 高山流水gāo shān liú shuǐExquisite music; deep appreciation between kindred spirits, especially in art.Explore 名落孙山míng luò sūn shānTo fail an exam or ranking; to fall short of success.Explore 一蹴而就yī cù ér jiùTo succeed in one go; to accomplish swiftly.Explore 未雨绸缪wèi yǔ chóu móuTo prepare before trouble comes; to plan ahead.Explore 鸡鸣狗吠jī míng gǒu fèiRoosters crowing and dogs barking; the familiar sounds of inhabited rural life.Explore 一诺千金yī nuò qiān jīnA promise worth a fortune; to keep one’s word at all costs.Explore 投鼠忌器tóu shǔ jì qìTo hesitate to act for fear of collateral damage.Explore 青出于蓝qīng chū yú lánThe student surpasses the teacher; to exceed one’s origins.Explore 半途而废bàn tú ér fèiTo give up halfway; to abandon a task incomplete.Explore 唇亡齿寒chún wáng chǐ hánMutual dependence; one’s loss affects another.Explore 水落石出shuǐ luò shí chūThe truth is revealed when conditions clear.Explore 如鱼得水rú yú dé shuǐTo thrive in a perfect environment; to be in one’s element.Explore 门可罗雀mén kě luó quèTo have very few visitors or customers; a deserted entrance.Explore 兔死狗烹tù sǐ gǒu pēngTo discard a helper after their use; to be ungrateful.Explore 老马识途lǎo mǎ shí túExperience brings reliable guidance; wisdom from age.Explore 曲高和寡qǔ gāo hè guǎSophistication lacks an audience; too refined for most.Explore 覆水难收fù shuǐ nán shōuWhat’s done cannot be undone; irreversible actions.Explore 一日千里yī rì qiān lǐRapid progress; to advance swiftly.Explore 雪中送炭xuě zhōng sòng tànTo offer timely help in need; to provide critical aid.Explore