A simple English story

Idiom stories, in Chinese and English.

A bird that flinches at the sight of a bow ―― a very frightened person.

A bird that startled at the pull of a bowstring.

During the Warring States Period, there was a man named Lei Geng in Wei State. One day, he said to the king, "I can shoot birds in the sky as long as I pull my bow into the air." The king didn't believe it. Lei Geng aimed at a wild goose flying in the sky. If the wild goose heard the sound of pulling the string, it would fall. The king thought it was strange. Lei Geng said, "That's a wounded goose. As soon as it heard me pull the bowstring, it panicked and couldn't hold on. Naturally, it will fall. "

During the Warring States Period, there was a man named Geng Lei in the State of Wei. One day, he said to the king, "I can shoot the bird as long as I pull up my bowstring." When the king expressed doubts, Geng Lei aimed his bow at a wild goose flying in the sky and pulled the bowstring. The wild goose fell to the ground. Geng Lei said:' This goose was injured in the past. Hearing the sound of pulling the string, it thought it was doomed. So it simply gave up survival.

The idiom "a frightened bird" means that after being frightened, you are particularly afraid of the slightest movement.

This idiom means that if a person was frightened in the past, his will might be paralyzed under similar circumstances.

Provide their own services

Mao sui recommended himself

During the Warring States period, the Qin army attacked the capital of Zhao. Zhao intends to go to Chu to ask for reinforcements himself. He wants to choose a clever man to go with him. A man named Mao Sui volunteered to go with him. After Ping Yuanjun arrived in Chu, he talked with the king of Chu for a long time, but there was no result. Angrily approached the king of Chu with a sword, and finally forced the king of Chu to agree to send troops to unite Zhao against Qin.

During the Warring States Period, the State of Qin besieged the capital of Zhao. Zhao Pingyuan intends to personally ask the ruler of Chu for help. He wants to choose a capable person to go with him. A man named Mao Sui volunteered. When the negotiations between the two countries were deadlocked because the king of Chu did not send troops, Mao Sui came to him waving a sword. The ruler of Chu agreed to help Zhao against Qin.

This idiom is used to express self-recommendation without introduction.

This idiom means to recommend yourself.

An idyllic land.

A paradise of peace and happiness

Tao Yuanming, a writer in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, wrote a famous article called Peach Blossom Garden. A fisherman happened to come to the Peach Blossom Garden when he was out fishing. From here, through a cave, I found a village whose residents were descendants of refugees in the Qin Dynasty. This is a beautiful society isolated from the world, free from exploitation and oppression, where everyone lives and works in peace and contentment. After the fisherman said goodbye to the villagers and went home, he could never find this place again.

Tao Yuanming, a famous writer in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (3 17-420), wrote a famous prose "Peach Blossom Garden". In his book, he tells the story that a fisherman happened to come to a place called Taohong Spring. Squeezing through a cave, he found a village whose residents were descendants of refugees in the Qin Dynasty. This is an isolated paradise, without exploitation and oppression, and everyone lives and works in peace and contentment. The fisherman left the villagers and went home. But he can't find that place anymore.

Later, this story gave birth to the idiom "Xanadu", which is used to describe an isolated ideal world.

This idiom comes from the above story and is used to describe an isolated ideal world.

Try to drive the chariot north to the south-act against your intentions.

Drive the chariot north and go south.

Once upon a time, there was a man who was going to the south, but his car was driving north. Passers-by said, "Go south, how can the car go north?" He replied, "My horse can run well, my coachman can drive well, and I have enough money with me." The man didn't take it into account, and the direction was reversed. The better his conditions are, the farther away he is from where he is going.

Once, a man wanted to go to the south, but his carriage was driving north. A passer-by asked him, "If you are going to the south, why is your chariot going north?" The man replied,' My horse can run well, my coachman is very skilled in driving a carriage, and I still have enough money.' The man didn't consider that the direction might be wrong; The better his conditions, the farther away he is from his destination.

Later, people summarized this story as "the opposite direction", which means that a person's behavior is just the opposite of his purpose.

The idiom derived from this story means that a person's behavior is just the opposite of his intention.

Put the dragon in the painting into the pupil of its eyes to make it lifelike ―― adding vitality to the works of art.

Put the finishing touch on the dragon's picture

In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there was a painter named Zhang Sengyou. Once, he went to a temple to play and drew four dragons on the wall, but none of them drew eyes. The man who looked at the picture felt very strange and asked him why he didn't draw his eyes. He said, "Eyes are the key to dragons. Draw your eyes and the dragon will fly away. " People don't believe what he said. Monk Zhang picked up a pen and set his eyes on the two dragons. Suddenly there was lightning and thunder, and two dragonflies flew into the sky, leaving only two dragons without eyes on the wall.

During the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589), there was a painter named Zhang Sengyou. Once, he visited a temple and drew four dragons on the wall, but he didn't give them any eyes. The onlookers thought it was strange and asked him why he didn't draw his eyes. He replied, "Eyes are very important to dragons. Draw an eye and the dragon will fly away. No one believed this, so Zhang Sengyou picked up his brush and added two dragons to his eyes. No sooner had he finished than two dragons flew into the sky in the storm. Two people without eyes stayed on the wall.

The idiom "make the finishing point" is used to describe adding one or two important sentences in key places when speaking or writing an article to make the content more vivid and powerful.

This idiom is used to describe that when writing or speaking, one or two key sentences will enhance the content.

to gild the lily

to gild the lily

During the Warring States period, there was a man in the State of Chu who offered sacrifices to his ancestors. After the ceremony, he took out a pot of wine and gave it to several people. We discussed it and said, "Let's all draw snakes. Whoever smokes them first will drink this pot of wine. " One of them painted it first. But when he saw that his companion had not finished painting, he added feet to the snake. Then another man finished painting, grabbed the hip flask and drank it, saying, "Snakes have no feet. How can you add feet to it? "

During the Warring States Period, there was a man in the State of Chu who was offering sacrifices to his ancestors. After the ceremony, the man gave his servant a large glass of wine. The servants thought that the wine was not enough for all of them, so they decided to draw a snake each. Whoever finishes the painting first will get the wine. One of them draws very fast. Seeing that others were still busy drawing, he added feet to the snake. Then another man finished drinking, grabbed the beaker and drank the wine, saying, "Snakes have no feet. "How can you add feet to a snake?"

The idiom "gild the lily" refers to doing something unnecessary and inappropriate, but making things worse.

This idiom means doing unnecessary things and ruining an enterprise.

To teach fish to swim

Showing off axe skills in front of carpenter master Lu Ban

In ancient times, there was a man who was very good at architecture and sculpture. His name is Luban, and he is regarded as the founder of the carpenter's shop. Legend has it that he once made a colorful phoenix out of wood, which could fly in the air for three days without falling. Playing with an axe in front of Luban, of course, seems a bit overreaching.

Luban was considered a perfect carpenter in ancient times. It is said that he once carved a lifelike wooden phoenix, which actually flew in the air for three days. Therefore, it is considered foolish to show off your skills in front of Lu Ban.

This idiom is used to describe showing one's skills in front of experts.

This idiom is used to describe those who show off their cleverness in front of experts.

lovely

I was so angry that my hair stood on end

I was so angry that my hair stood on end

During the Warring States Period, Lin Xiangru, the minister of Zhao, was sent to Qin. When he asked the king of Qin for jade, the king of Qin made trouble without reason. Lin Xiangru was so angry that his hair stood on end and shouted at his hat.

During the Warring States Period, Lin Xiangru, the prime minister of Zhao State, was sent to Qin State and asked the king of Qin to return a beautiful jade to Zhao State. Hearing this, Lin was so angry that her hair stood on end and even her hat stood up.

Later, people used this idiom to describe people's extreme anger.

This idiom was later used to mean to be very angry.

draw cakes to allay hunger

Fill one's hunger with cake pictures

During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Rui, the emperor of Wei, planned to select a talented person to be an official in the court. Cao Rui said to the ministers, "When selecting talents, we should not only look for people with bad reputations. Fake names are like cakes painted on the ground. You can only look at it, but it can't solve the hunger problem! "

During the Three Kingdoms period (220-280), the king of Wei, Cao Rui, wanted to choose a very capable person to work for him. He said to his ministers, "When choosing a talented person, always beware of a person with a false name.". A false name is like a picture of a cake; It can't alleviate hunger. '

Later, people used the idiom "painting cakes to fill their hunger" to describe comforting themselves with fantasy, which could not solve practical problems.

Later, people used this idiom to mean that they comforted themselves with unrealistic ideas and could not solve practical problems.

(of an unknown person) achieved amazing results at the first attempt.

Shook the world with a simple feat.

During the Warring States Period, Qi Weiwang became king for three years after he ascended the throne, and only cared about pleasure, not politics. Chunyu Kun, who is good at telling jokes, said to Qi Weiwang one day, "There is a big bird in the city that won't fly or bark for three years. Do you know what this is? " Qi Weiwang said: "If this bird doesn't fly, it will fly to heaven;" If you don't sing, it will be great. " Inspired by Chunyu Kun, Qi Weiwang began to govern the country and made great achievements. Qi's prestige has been maintained for decades.

During the Warring States period, during the first three years of his reign, Duke Wei of Qi did not do his proper business and indulged himself in pleasure. One of his ministers, Chunyu Kun, has a good sense of humor. He said to him, "There is a big bird that has neither flown nor sang for three years." "Once that bird starts to fly and sing, it will shock the world." The duke then devoted himself to his duties and established a powerful country.

"blockbuster" is used to mean that you are usually unknown, but once you put it into action, you will achieve amazing results.

This idiom is used to indicate that a person may rise from obscurity and achieve great achievements.

Waiting for a rabbit

Sitting by the stump, waiting for a careless hare.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a farmer in Song State. One day, while he was plowing the field, a rabbit suddenly came and happened to bump into a stump, with its neck broken and dead. The farmer picked up the rabbit and had a delicious meal. In the evening, he thought, "Why should I farm so hard?" It is enough for me to pick up a rabbit under the tree every day. So he stopped farming and sat under the tree every day waiting for the rabbit to come.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a farmer in Song State. One day, he was working in the field when he suddenly saw a rabbit accidentally bump into a stump and break its neck. The farmer took the rabbit home and cooked himself a delicious meal. That night, he thought, "I don't need to work so hard." All I have to do is wait for a rabbit by the stump every day. So from then on, he gave up farming and just sat by the stump waiting for the rabbit to run into it.

The idiom "waiting for the rabbit" mocks those who don't want to go through hard work, take chances and hope to get unexpected gains.

This idiom is used to satirize those who just wait for luck instead of trying to get what they need.

Ceng Zi killed a pig.

Ceng Zi killed Bi.

Enzi's wife is going to the market. Her youngest son insisted on going with her and made a scene. "Stay at home," she said to the boy. "When I come back, I'll kill a pig for you." When she comes back, Ceng Zi is going to kill pigs. His wife stopped him and said, "I'm just kidding." "You shouldn't tease a child like this!" He replied. "A child doesn't know much and can't judge for himself. He learns from his parents and listens to their opinions. Lying to him means telling him to lie to others. If a mother lies to her son, he will no longer trust her. How did she educate him? " Say that finish, Ceng Zi went to kill pigs and prepared a delicious meal for their son.

Ceng Zi's wife went to the market, and his son followed in tears. His mother said, "You stay at home, and I'll come back later to kill the pig for you." As soon as Ceng Zi comes back from the market, he will catch pigs and kill them. His wife dissuaded him and said, "It's just a kid's joke." Ceng Zi said, "You can't joke with children! Children have no ability to think and judge. If they want their parents to learn and listen to their teachings, now you cheat them, which is to teach them to cheat! If a mother cheats her son, he will no longer trust his mother. This is not the way to achieve education. " So Ceng Zi killed cook the meat the pig and gave it to his children.

Decorate yourself with borrowed feathers

Bathed in the reflected light

The tiger caught a fox in the forest and wanted to eat it. The fox quickly said, "You can't eat me. I was sent by the Emperor of Heaven to rule all animals. " . If you want to eat me, you will disobey God's command. If you don't believe me, come with me to the forest and see if all the animals are afraid to see me. The tiger believed the fox and followed him into the forest. All the animals ran for their lives when they saw it. The tiger thought that all animals were really afraid of foxes, but he didn't know that he was afraid of himself, so he let the foxes go.

A tiger caught a fox in the forest and was about to eat it. The fox said, "You can't eat me." . I was sent by heaven to rule animals. Eat me, and you will violate the command of heaven. If you don't believe me, follow me and see if the animals are afraid of me. The tiger agreed and walked with the fox in the forest. The animals ran away as soon as they saw them. The tiger thought they were afraid of the fox, so they let it go. He didn't realize that it was him that the beast was really afraid of.

This idiom is used to mean to rely on other people's strength to bully or scare people.

This idiom means to bully or intimidate others by relying on their strength.

The reunion of couples after forced separation or breakup.

reunion of a couple after an enforced separation or rupture

When the State of Chen in the Southern Dynasties (557-589 AD) was about to perish, Xu Deyan, the son-in-law, broke a bronze mirror and left half of it with his wife. The two sides agreed that if the husband and wife are separated in the future, they will take this as a token. Later, the husband and wife really separated, with their own half mirrors, and finally got together again.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the state of Chen (557-589 AD) was about to perish, and the princess's husband Xu Deyan broke a bronze mirror in two. They each keep half as a souvenir in case they are separated. Soon after, they did lose touch, but the two halves of the mirror enabled them to reunite.

The idiom "second reunion" refers to the reunion of husband and wife after separation or separation.

This idiom is used to describe the reunion of husband and wife after losing contact or breaking up.

Finish sth at one go

Wake up the soul with the first drum beat.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi sent troops to attack Lu. Duke Zhuang of Lu was at war with his counselor Cao Gui. After the Qi army beat the drum for the first time, the Lu army was ready to attack. Cao Gui said, "No." After the Qi army drummed three times, Cao Gui said, "Now you can attack." As a result, the Qi army was defeated. After the battle, Duke Zhuang of Lu asked Cao Gui why he won. Cao Gui said, "It takes courage to fight. Playing drums for the first time, morale is very strong; The second drum beat, morale declined; After the third drum beat, the morale was exhausted. The enemy's morale was exhausted and we launched an attack, so we won. "

During the Spring and Autumn Period, an army of Qi State was at war with an army of Lu State. When the Qi army drummed for the first time to summon Lu to war, the ruler of Lu wanted to attack. But Cao Gui, his adviser, said, "We should wait until the third drum beat, Your Majesty." After the Qi army beat the drums three times, the Lu army attacked and defeated the Qi army. After the battle, the king asked Cao Gui the reason for his strange suggestion. Cao Gui replied, "Fighting needs spirit. Their spirits were aroused by the first drum sound, but exhausted by the second. By the third time, it was completely exhausted. When their spirits were exhausted, we began to attack. So we won. '

Later, people used "go all out" to describe getting things done at once.

This idiom is later used to mean that one thing has been accomplished through continuous efforts.