常用成语

TO RISK EVERYTHING IN A SINGLE VENTURE

孤注一掷 gū zhù yī zhì

What it means:

尽其所有力量做最后的一搏。

jìn qí suǒ yǒu lì liàng zuò zuì hòu yī bó.

To risk everything in a single venture.

How to use the metaphor:

在别无他法之下，也只好孤注一掷，碰碰运气。

zài bié wú tā fă zhī xià, yĕ zhĭ hăo gū zhù yī zhì, pèng pèng yùn qi.

With no other options available, he had to risk everything to try his luck with the business venture.

TO BE WELL KNOWN

大名鼎鼎 dà míng dĭng dĭng

What it means:

名气很响亮，显赫。

míng qì hĕn xiăng liàng, xiăn hè.

(of a person) to be well known.

How to use the metaphor:

大家都认识这位大名鼎鼎的作家。

dà jiā dōu rèn shi zhè wèi dà míng ding dĭng de zuò jiā.

The author is very famous. Everyone knows who he is.

TO BE UNDAUNTED BY REPEATED SETBACKS

百折不挠 băi zhé bù náo

What it means:

形容意志非常坚定。

xíng róng yì zhì fēi cháng jiān dìng.

To be undaunted by repeated setbacks.

How to use the metaphor:

他凭着百折不挠的精神，才踏上成功道路。

tā píng zhe băi zhé bù náo de jīng shen, cái tà shàng chéng gōng dào lù.

He succeeded because he persevered and was undaunted by setbacks.

TO ACT BLINDLY BY DIVORCING ONESELF FROM REALITY

闭门造车 bì mén zào chē

What it means:

比喻只依自己的想法去做，脱离实际。

bĭ yù zhĭ yī zì jĭ de xiăng fă qù zuò, tuō lí shí jì.

To act blindly by divorcing oneself from reality.

How to use the metaphor:

你必须对产品有深入的研究，闭门造车是无法制造出优良的产品的。

nĭ bì xū duì chăn pĭn yŏu shēn rù de yán jiū, bì mén zào chē shì wú fă zhì zào chū yōu liáng de chăn pĭn de.

In-depth research is critical in product development. Failing which, you will not have the sound foundation needed for developing a top-notch product.

STAGE A COMEBACK

东山再起 dōng shān zài qĭ

What it means:

原指隐居后又出来做官。后多比喻失败后，等待力量恢复和时机，卷土重来。

yuán zhĭ yĭn jū hòu yòu chū lái zuò guān. hòu duō bĭ yù shī bài hòu, dĕng dài lì liàng huī fù hé shí jī, juăn tŭ chóng lái.

Stage a comeback.

How to use the metaphor:

经过慎重考虑，他决定东山再起，重组新公司。

jīng guò shèn zhòng kăo lǜ, tā jué dìng dōng shān zài qĭ, chóng zŭ xīn gong sī.

After much deliberation, he decided to stage a comeback by setting up a new company.

SHOW GREAT FORESIGHT

高瞻远瞩 gāo zhān yuăn zhŭ

What it means:

比喻目光远大。

bĭ yù mù guāng yuăn dà.

Show great foresight.

How to use the metaphor:

当年他高瞻远瞩， 发展电脑科技，如今他成了我国科技行业的龙头。

dàng nián tā gāo zhān yuan zhŭ, fā zhăn diàn năo kēj ì, rú jīn tā chéng le wŏ guó kē jì hang yè de lóng tóu.

With great foresight, he worked on developing the field of computer technology years ago. Today, he is a leader in the industry.

OPEN AND UPRIGHT

光明正大 guāng míng zhèng dà

What it means:

形容心地纯正，为人坦率，言行正派。

xíng róng xīn dì chún zhèng, wéi rén tăn shuài, yán xíng zhèng pài.

Open and upright.

How to use the metaphor:

他是个光明正大的人，绝对不会做出偷鸡摸狗的事。

tā shì gè guān gmíng zhèng dà de rén, jué duì bú huì zuò chū tōu jī mō gŏu de shì.

He is an open and upright person who will definitely stay away from any shady activity.

HEARSAY

道听途说 dào tīng tú shuō

What it means:

未经证实的传闻，无根据的消息。

wèi jīng zhèng shí de chuán wén, wú gēn jù de xiāo xi.

Hearsay.

How to use the metaphor:

这都是道听途说的传言，你怎么可以相信呢？

zhè dōu shì dào tīng tú shuō de chuán yán, nĭ zĕn me kĕ yĭ xiāng xìn ne.

How can you simply believe the rumour? It is just hearsay.

GO BACK ON ONE’S WORDS

出尔反尔 chū ěr fǎn ě

What it means:

比喻反复无常。

bĭ yù fǎn fù wú cháng.

Go back on one’s words.

How to use the metaphor:

他常常出尔反尔， 没有人敢相信他许下的承诺。

tā cháng cháng chū ěr fǎn ě, mĕi yŏu rén găn xiāng xìn tā xŭ xià de chéng nuò.

Nobody dares to believe him as he often goes back on his words.

CALM AND UNFLUSTERED

从容不迫 cóng róng bú pò

What it means:

行事镇定不急迫。

xíng shì zhèn dìng bù jí pò.

Calm and unflustered.

How to use the metaphor:

经理为人沉着，面临危机时，也能从容不迫地应付。

jīng lĭ wéi rén chén zhuó, miàn lín wēi jī shí, yĕ néng cóng róng bú pò de yìng fù.

The manager is always very composed. He stays calm and unflustered even when confronted with threatening situations.

BRAG WITHOUT BLUSHING

大言不惭 dà yán bù cán

What it means:

说大话，不知羞耻。

shuō dà huà bù zhī xiū chĭ.

Brag without blushing.

How to use the metaphor:

他没有参与工作，却大言不惭地说自己是这项工作的主干。

tā méi yŏu cān yù gōn gzuò, què dà yán bù cán de shuō zì jĭ shì zhè xiàng gong zuò de zhŭ gàn.

He wasn’t involved in this project but he bragged without blushing, and claimed that he was the project leader.

A BRAND NEW LOOK

焕然一新 huàn rán yì xīn

What it means:

完全变新的样子。

wán quán biàn xīn de yang zi.

A brand new look.

How to use the metaphor:

经过装修后，这家店铺焕然一新使人眼睛一亮。

jīng guò zhuāng xiū hòu, zhè jiā diàn pù huàn rán yì xīn shĭ rén yăn jing yì liàng.

Having undergone extensive renovations, the shop has attracted much attention with its brand new look.