驚弓之鳥
Birds Startled by the Mere Twang of a Bowstring
戰國時期（公元前403―221年中國中原地區各諸侯國連年爭戰的時代）魏國有個名叫更羸的人。壹天，他對國王說：“我只要拉開弓，空射壹下，就能把天上的鳥射下來。”國王不相信。更羸便對準天上飛來的壹只雁射去，果真那只雁聽到拉弦的聲音就掉了下來。國王感到很奇怪。更羸說，“那是壹只受過傷的雁。它壹聽到我拉開弓弦的聲響，就驚慌得支持不住，自然要掉下來了。”
In the Warring States Period, there was a man in the State of Wei called Geng Lei. One day he said to the king: 'I can shoot down birds by simply plucking my bowstring.' When the king expressed doubt, Geng Lei pointed his bow at a wild goose flying in the sky, twanged the bowstring, and the goose fell to the ground. Geng Lei said, 'This goose has been hurt in the past. Hearing the twang of the bowstring, it assumed that it was doomed. So it simply gave up trying to live.'
“驚弓之鳥”這個成語比喻受過驚恐之後，有壹點動靜就特別害怕。
This idiom means that if one has been frightened in the past one's will may become paralysed in a similar situation.
毛遂自薦
Mao Sui Recommending Himself
戰國時代，秦國軍隊攻打趙國的都城。趙國的平原君打算親自到楚國去請救兵，想挑選壹個精明能幹的人壹同前去。有壹個名叫毛遂的人，自告奮勇願意同去。平原君到楚國後，與楚王談了半天，沒有壹點結果。毛遂怒氣沖沖地拿著寶劍，逼近楚王，終於迫使楚王答應出兵，與趙國聯合***同抵抗秦國。
In the Warring States Period, the State of Qin besieged the capital of the State of Zhao. Duke Pingyuan of Zhao planned to ask the ruler of the State of Chu personally for assistance. He wanted to select a capable man to go with him. A man called Mao Sui volunteered. When the negoti-actions between the two states were stalled because the ruler of Chu hesitated to send troops, Mao Sui approached him, brandishing a sword. At that, the ruler of Chu agreed to help Zhao, against Qin.
“毛遂自薦”這個成語用來比喻自己推薦自己，不必別人介紹。
This idiom means to recommend oneself.
世外桃源
A Haven of Peace and Happiness
東晉的文學家陶淵明寫了壹片著名的文章叫《桃花源記》。敘述壹個漁人出外捕魚的時候，偶然來到了桃花源這個地方。從這裏通過壹個山洞，發現了壹個村子，這裏的居民是秦朝時避難人的後代。這是壹個與世隔絕、沒有剝削和壓迫、人人安居樂業的美好社會。漁人告別村民回家以後，再也找不到這個地方了。
Tao Yuanming, a famous writer of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), wrote the well-known essay Peach-Blossom Spring. In it he tells a story which goes like this: A fisherman happened to come upon a place called Peach-Blossom Spring. Squeezing through a cave, he found a village, the residents of which were descendants of refugees from the Qin Dynasty. It was a paradise isolated from the outside world, without exploitation or oppression, and everybody living and working in peace and contentment. The fisherman left the villagers and went home. But he could never find the place again.
後來，由這個故事產生了“世外桃源”這個成語，用來比喻與世隔絕的、理想的美好世界。
This idiom is derived from the above story, and is used to mean an isolated, ideal world.
南轅北轍
Going South by Driving the Chariot North
從前有個人要到南方去，他坐的車子卻向北方行駛。過路人說：“妳去南方，車子怎麽向北行駛呢？”他回答說：“我的馬很能跑路，我的車夫駕車的技術也很高明，加上我又帶了充足的路費。”這個人沒有考慮到，方向弄反了，他的條件越好，離他要去的地方就越遠。
Once a man wanted to go to the south, but his carriage was heading north. A passer-by asked him: 'If you are going to the south, why is your chariot heading north? ' The man answered, 'My horse is good at running, my driver is highly skilled at driving a carriage, and I have enough money. ' The man didn't consider that the direction might be wrong; the better his conditions were, the further he was away from his destination.
後來人們就把這個故事概括為“南轅北轍”，比喻壹個人的行為和他的目的正好相反。
The idiom derived from this story indicates that one's action was the opposite effect to one's intention.
畫龍點睛
Putting the Finishing Touch to the Picture of a Dragon
南北朝(公元420--589)時期，有個畫家叫張僧繇。有壹次，他到壹個寺廟去遊玩，在墻壁上面畫了四條龍，可是都沒有畫出眼睛。看畫的人覺得很奇怪，問他為什麽不畫出眼睛。他說：“眼睛是龍的關鍵，畫上眼睛，龍就會飛走了。”大家不相信他說的話。張僧繇拿起筆來，剛給兩條龍點上眼睛，立刻電閃雷鳴，兩條龍飛向天空，墻上只剩下兩條沒有畫眼睛的龍。
In the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period (420-589), there was a painter called Zhang Sengyou. Once he visited a temple and painted on the wall four dragons, but gave none of them eyes. The onlookers felt that this was odd, and asked why he hadn't painted the eyes. He answered, 'Eyes are crucial for dragons. With the eyes painted on, the dragons would fly away.' Nobody believed this, so Zhang Sengyou took up his brush and added eyes to two of the dragons. No sooner had he finished than the two dragons flew into the sky amid a thunderstorm. The two without eyes stayed painted on the wall.
“畫龍點睛”這個成語用來比喻講話或寫文章時，在關鍵地方加壹兩句重要的話，使內容更加生動有力。
This idiom is used to describe how, when writing or speaking, one or two key sentences will enhance the contents.
畫蛇添足
Drawing a snake and Adding Feet
戰國時代有個楚國人祭他的祖先。儀式結束後，他拿出壹壺酒賞給手下的幾個人。大家商量說：“我們都來畫蛇，誰先畫好誰就喝這壺酒。”其中有壹個人先畫好了。但他看到同伴還沒有畫完，就又給蛇添上了腳。這時，另壹個人也畫好了，奪過酒壺吧酒喝了，並且說：“蛇本來是沒有腳的，妳怎麽能給它添上腳呢？”
In the Warring States Period, a man in the State of Chu was offering a sacrifice to his ancestors. After the ceremony, the man gave a beaker of wine to his servants. The servants thought that there was not enough wine for all them, and decided to each draw a picture of a snake; the one who finished the picture first would get the wine. One of them drew very rapidly. Seeing that the others were still busy drawing, he added feet to the snake. At this moment another man finished, snatched the beaker and drank the wine, saying, 'A snake doesn't have feet. How can you add feet to a snake? '
“畫蛇添足”這個成語比喻做了多余而不恰當的事，反而把事情弄糟了。
This idiom refers to ruining a venture by doing unnecessary and surplus things.
班門弄斧
Showing Off One's Proficiency with the Axe Before Lu Ban the Master Carpenter
古代有壹個建築和雕刻技術非常高超的人，名叫魯班，木匠行裏尊稱他為祖師。傳說他曾用木頭制作了壹只五彩斑斕的鳳凰，能夠在空中飛翔三天不掉下來。在魯班門前擺弄斧子，當然顯得有些自不量力了。
Lu Ban was supposed to be a consummate carpenter in ancient times. It is said that he once carved a wooden phoenix that was so lifelike that it actually flew in the sky for three days. Thus it was considered the height of folly to show off one's skill with an axe in front of Lu Ban.
“班門弄斧”這個成語，用來比喻在行家面前顯示本領。
This idiom excoriates those who show off their slight accomplishments in front of experts.
可愛多 2005-6-13 08:38
怒發沖冠
So Angry That One' s Hair Lifts Up One' s Hat
戰國時代，趙國的大臣藺相如出使到秦國。在他向秦王索回玉璧的時候，秦王蠻不講理，藺相如氣憤得連頭發都豎了起來，向上沖著帽子。
In the Warring States Period, Lin Xiangru, chief min-ister of the State of Zhao, was sent as an envoy to the State of Qin to ask the ruler of Qin to return a fine piece of jade to Zhao. But the ruler of Qin was rude and unreasonable. Lin was angry, and his hair stood up so stiffly on his head that it lifted up his hat.
後來人們用“怒發沖冠”這個成語形容人憤怒到了極點。
This idiom came to be used to mean being extremely angry.
畫餅充饑
Allaying Hunger with Pictures of Cakes
三國時代魏國的皇帝曹睿，準備選拔壹個有才能的人到朝廷來做官。曹睿對他的大臣說：“選擇人才，不能光找有虛名的人。虛名好像是在地上畫的壹塊餅，只能看，不能解決肚子饑餓的問題啊！”
In the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), the king of the Wei, Cao Rui, wanted to select a very capable man to work for him. He said to his ministers: 'When choosing a talented person, always beware of one with a false reputation. A false reputation is just like a picture of a cake; it can' t relieve hunger.'
後來人們就用“畫餅充饑”這個成語比喻用空想安慰自己，不能解決實際問題。
Later, this idiom came to be used to mean comforting oneself with unrealistic thoughts, without solving practical problems.
壹鳴驚人
Amazing the World with a Single Feat
戰國時代，齊威王即位後做了三年國君，只顧享樂，不理政事。有個善於說笑話的人叫淳於髡，壹天對齊威王說：“城裏有壹只大鳥，三年不飛也不叫，妳知道這是什麽道理？”齊威王說：“這鳥不飛則罷，壹飛就沖天；不鳴則罷，壹鳴就驚人。”在淳於髡的激發下，齊威王開始治理國家，取得很大成績，齊國的聲威壹直保持了幾十年。
In the Warring States Period, Duke Wei of Qi neglected state affairs, for the first three years of his reign, giving himself over to dissipation. One of his ministers, Chun Yukun who had a good sense of humour, said to him: 'There is a big bird which has neither taken wing nor sung for three years.' The duke answered, 'Once that bird starts to fly and sing, it will astonish the world.' The duke thereupon devoted himself to his duties and built his state up into a powerful one.
“壹鳴驚人”用來表示平時默默無聞，壹旦行動起來，卻做出驚人的成績。
This idiom is used to indicate that a person may rise from obscurity and achieve greatness.
株待兔
Sitting by a Stump, Waiting for a Careless Hare
春秋時代，宋國有個農夫，壹天在耕田的時候，忽然跑來壹只兔子，恰巧碰在樹樁上，脖子折斷死了。農夫把兔子拾回家去，美美地吃了壹頓兔肉。晚上他想：“我何必辛辛苦苦地種地呢？每天在樹下能撿到壹只兔子就夠我吃的了。”於是，他從此不再耕作，每天坐在樹下等待兔子的到來。
In the Spring and Autumn Period, a farmer in the State of Song was one day working in the fields when he saw a rabbit bump into a tree stump accidentally and break its neck. The farmer took the rabbit home, and cooked himself a delicious meal. That night he thought, 'I needn't work so hard. All I have to do is wait for a rabbit each day by the stump.' So from then on he gave up farming, and simply sat by the stump waiting for rabbits to come and run into it.
“守株待兔”這個成語，譏笑那些不想經過努力，存在僥幸心理，希望得到意外收獲的人。
This idiom satirizes those who just wait for a stroke of luck, rather than making efforts to obtain what they need.
Zengzi Slaughters a Pig
曾子殺彘
engzi’s wife was going to the market. Her little son insisted on going with her, making a tearful scene. “Stay at home,” she said to the boy. “When I come back, I will slaughter a pig for you.” When she came back, Zengzi got ready to slaughter the pig. His wife stopped him, saying: “I was just kidding.” “A child is not to be kidded like that!” he replied. “A child does not know much and cannot judge for himself. He learns from his parents and listens to what they day. To lie to him is to teach him to lie to others. If a mother lies to her son, he will not trust her anymore. How is she then to educate him?” With that Zengzi went to slaughter the pig and prepare a good meal for their son.
曾子的妻子到集市上去, 他的兒子哭著要跟去. 他的母親說: “妳回家呆著,待會兒我回來殺豬給妳吃.” 她剛從集市上回來, 曾子就要捉豬去殺. 妻子勸止他說: “只不過是跟孩子開玩笑罷了.” 曾子說: “不能跟孩子開玩笑啊! 小孩子沒有思考和判斷能力, 要想父母親學習, 聽從父母的教導. 現在妳欺騙他,這是教孩子騙人啊! 母親欺騙兒子, 兒子就不再相信自己的母親了, 這不是實現教育的方法.” 於是曾子就殺豬煮肉給孩子吃.
狐假虎威
Basking in Reflected Glory
老虎在山林裏捉到了壹只狐貍，要吃掉它。狐貍連忙說：“妳不能吃我，我是天帝派來統治百獸的。妳要吃了我，就違抗了天帝的命令。妳不信，就跟我到山林裏去壹趟，看百獸見了我是不是都很害怕。”老虎相信了狐貍的話，就跟在狐貍的後面走進山林。百獸見了果然都紛紛逃命。老虎以為百獸真的害怕狐貍而不知道是害怕自己，於是就把狐貍給放了。
A tiger caught a fox in a forest, and was just about to eat it, when the fox said, 'You mustn't eat me. I was sent by Heaven to rule the animals. By eating me, you will violate the command of Heaven. If you don't believe me, just follow me to see whether the animals are afraid of me.' The tiger agreed, and followed the fox as it walked around the forest. The animals all ran away on seeing them. The tiger thought they were afraid of the fox, so he let it go. He didn't realise that it was him that the beasts were really afraid of.
“狐假虎威”這個成語用來比喻倚仗別人的勢力去欺壓人或嚇唬人。
This idiom means relying on another's power to bully or frighten others.
破鏡重圓
A Broken Mirror Made Whole Agian
南朝陳國(公元557-589)將要滅亡的時候，駙馬徐德言把壹面銅鏡破開，跟妻子各留下壹半。雙方約定：如果將來夫妻失散了，就把它當作信物。後來，夫妻二人真的失散了，憑借著各人留下的半面鏡子，他們最終又得到團圓。
In the Northern and Southern Dynasties when the State of Chen (A.D. 557-589) was facing its demise, Xu Deyan, husband of the princess, broke a bronze mirror into halves. Each of them kept a half as tokens in case they were separated. Soon afterwards, they did lose touch with each other, but the two halves of the mirror enabled them to be reunited.
“破鏡重圓”這個成語比喻夫妻失散或分離後重新團聚。
This idiom is used to refer to the reunion of a couple after they lose touch or break up.
壹鼓作氣
Rousing the Spirits with the First Drum Roll
春秋時代，齊國派兵攻打魯國。魯國的國王魯莊公帶著謀士曹劌指揮作戰。齊軍第壹次擊鼓以後，魯軍準備發起進攻。曹劌說：“不行。”齊軍三次擊鼓以後，曹劌才說：“現在可以進攻了。”結果齊軍大敗。戰鬥結束後，魯莊公問曹劌勝利的原因。曹劌說：“打仗要考勇氣。第壹次擊鼓，士氣十分旺盛；第二次擊鼓，士氣有些衰落；第三次擊鼓，士氣就消耗盡了。敵人士氣耗盡，我們發起進攻，所以取得了勝利。”
During the Spring and Autumn Period, an army from the State of Qi confronted one from the State of Lu. After the first roll of drums from the Qi side to summon Lu to battle, the Lu ruler wanted to attack. But his counsellor Cao Gui said, 'We should wait until the third drum roll, sire.' After the Qi side had beaten 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 odd advice. Cao Gui answered, 'Fighting needs spirit. Their spirit was aroused by the first roll or the drums, but was depleted by the second. And it was completely exhausted by the third. We started to attack when their spirit was exhausted. That's why we won.'
後來，“壹鼓作氣”形容鼓起勁頭，壹下子把事情幹完。
This idiom later meant to get something done with one sustained effort.