不刊之论unalterable or irrefutable argument
从谏如流be able to accept advice from one's inferiors
别无长物not have a penny to one's name
博闻强识have encyclopaedic knowledge
吃枪药be short-tempered and irritable
含垢忍辱endure contempt and insults
含英咀华study and grasp the essence of something
哀兵必胜an army under heavy pressure and burning with indignation is sure to win
因人成事rely/depend on others for success
城下之盟terms accepted under duress
奇文共赏share the pleasure of reading a rare piece of writing
如坐春风just like being in warm and soft wind in spring
安土重迁hate to leave one's native land
尾大不掉the tail is too big to wag
师心自用show overconfidence in oneself
开门揖盗open the door to robbers-invite disaster by letting in evil-doers
弃甲曳兵throw away armor and trail weapons-flee pell-mell
弹冠相庆congratulate each other on the prospect of getting good appointments
得鱼忘筌forget what led to one's success
怙恶不悛be steeped in evil and refuse to repent
情随事迁feelings change with the circumstances
打头炮fire the first shot; be the first to act or speak
打边鼓speak up for somebody from the sidelines
文不加点never make the slightest change or revision in one's writing
曲突徙薪bend the chimney and remove the fuel
瓜田李下be found in a suspicious position
祸起萧墙trouble arises within the family; #$
稗官野史book of historical anecdotes
管窥蠡测restricted in vision and shallow in understanding
罪不容诛be guilty of crimes for which even death is insufficient punishment
胶柱鼓瑟once the pegs are glued in place, the zither cannot be retuned
计日程功estimate exactly how much time is needed to complete a project
钟鸣鼎食affluent and extravagant lifestyle
首鼠两端cannot decide which way to follow
鹏程万里A roc can reach a destination of a myriad miles away at one jump -- have a bright future.
不忍卒读can't bear to read it bacause of the work is so sad and moving
金针度人teach others a knack of the trade
三人成虎If three people give testimony of a tiger, it will sound true.
信笔涂鸦The handwriting is like chicken tracks-write a poor hand.
危言危行cautious speech and conduct
哀而不伤be mournful but not distressing; be plaintive but not depressing
因利乘便employ favourable situation
天下归心Throughout the empire all hearts turned to him.
席卷天下absorb the whole world like the rolling up of a mat
怀瑾握瑜be in possession of learning and virtue
恶衣恶食coarse clothing and simple food
来者可追The future can still be redeemed.
民殷国富The people live in plenty and the country prospers.
求田问舍desire nothing but a homestead
游目骋怀look as far as one's eyes can see and give free rein to one's thoughts and feelings
秋月春风the autumn moon and spring breeze
穷而后工Literary excellence is achieved only after many frustrations.
结草衔环make a grass knot or champ a ring in order to repay kindness
表里山河situated at the foot of a hill and beside a river
陈言务去rid an article of hackneyed phrases
饿殍遍野Fields strewn with corpses of the starved
显亲扬名achieve/win eminence for oneself as well as one's family
秋毫不犯not commit the slightest offence against people
人活七十古来稀in the past, a 70-year-old man was not common
刘姥姥进大观园granny Liu pays a visit to the Grand View Garden
创业容易守业难it is more difficult to develop a business than to start one
吃水不忘掘井人one should never forget the well-digger when drinking water
吃豹子胆eat the gall of the leopard
君子有成人之美a gentleman will help others realize their dream
对面不相识not recognize each other even face to face; miss a golden chance
立军令状write a letter of guarantee
自古红颜多薄命since ancient times, beautiful women often have an unfortunate life
一客不烦二主seek help from only one person
人穷志不穷cherish great ambition despite one's humble position