Popular Idioms Collection

English Idioms

Idioms are a fascinating aspect of language, often carrying meanings that cannot be deciphered through literal translations. Here are some commonly used English idioms:

• To kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two things at once
• Bite off more than you can chew: To take on more responsibility than you can handle
• A dime a dozen: Something that is common and easily available
• Break a leg: A good luck wish before a performance
• Hit the nail on the head: To be exactly right about something
• Actions speak louder than words: What a person does is more important than what they say
• Don't count your chickens before they hatch: Don't assume something will happen until it actually does
• When pigs fly: Something that will never happen
• Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret that was meant to be kept hidden
• Cry over spilled milk: To dwell on something that cannot be changed

Mandarin Idioms

Mandarin idioms (成语, chéng yǔ) are four-character expressions that often derive from historical texts, and carry deep cultural meanings. Here are some commonly used Mandarin idioms:

• 吃苦耐劳 (chī kǔ nài láo): To endure hardship and work hard
• 井底之蛙 (jǐng dǐ zhī wā): Someone with a narrow mindset, who only sees things from their limited perspective
• 画龙点睛 (huà lóng diǎn jīng): To add the finishing touch, or to bring something to life
• 杯弓蛇影 (bēi gōng shé yǐng): To see things that aren't there, or to mistake shadows for real things
• 守株待兔 (shǒu zhū dài tù): To wait foolishly for opportunities to come, instead of taking action
• 一视同仁 (yī shì tóng rén): To treat everyone equally
• 骑虎难下 (qí hǔ nán xià): To find oneself in a difficult or impossible situation, with no way out
• 班门弄斧 (bān mén nòng fǔ): To show off in front of experts, and in the process reveal one's own ignorance
• 言简意赅 (yán jiǎn yì gāi): To express oneself clearly and succinctly
• 无事生非 (wú shì shēng fēi): To create trouble where there was none before

Mixed Idioms

As languages and cultures evolve, idioms continue to change and mix, especially with the rise of globalization and the internet. Here are some mixed idioms that blend English and Mandarin:

• 拔苗助长 (bá miáo zhù zhǎng): To help seedlings grow faster (literal meaning), but in conversation can imply interfering or rushing something that needs time, similar to the English idiom \"putting the cart before the horse\"
• 一箭双雕 (yī jiàn shuāng diāo): To shoot two birds with one arrow (literal meaning), similar to the English idiom \"to kill two birds with one stone\"
• 众矢之的 (zhòng shǐ zhī dì): A target of public criticism or blame (literal meaning), similar to the English idiom \"to be a scapegoat\"
• 兔死狗烹 (tù sǐ gǒu pēng): To cook the dog after the rabbit has been caught (literal meaning), but in conversation can mean to harm or betray someone who was loyal, similar to the English idiom \"to throw someone under the bus\"
• 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú): To add feet to a snake painting (literal meaning), similar to the English idiom \"to gild the lily\"

Idioms are a colorful and expressive part of language, and understanding their meanings can deepen our understanding of cultures and societies.