每天成语｜Chinese Idioms in Stories

📖 Today's 成语: 突如其来 (tū rú qí lái)

Meaning: To happen out of the blue (sudden and unexpected)

Summary: The idiom 突如其来 (tū rú qí lái) is used to describe events that occur with startling suddenness. Whether it is a natural disaster, a piece of news, or a sudden realization, the phrase highlights the "out of nowhere" nature of the occurrence. It is most frequently used as an adjective in the form 突如其来的 (tū rú qí lái de) to modify a noun, emphasizing that the event was not anticipated.

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📖 Today's 成语: 好景不长 (hǎo jǐng bù cháng)

Meaning: Good times don't last long (short-lived prosperity)

Summary: 好景不长 (hǎo jǐng bù cháng) is an idiom used to express regret that a favorable situation or a happy time has ended prematurely. It typically appears in contexts describing a turn for the worse, often following a contrast like 'things were going well, but...' It can be applied to anything from personal fortune to economic trends, though it is generally avoided when discussing someone's current happiness to avoid sounding pessimistic.

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📖 Today's 成语: 煞费苦心 (shà fèi kǔ xīn)

Meaning: To take great pains (racking one's brains)

Summary: 煞费苦心 (shà fèi kǔ xīn) describes the act of putting immense thought and effort into a task. The character 煞 (shà) acts as an intensifier meaning 'extremely.' This idiom is highly versatile: it can be used to praise the dedication of a teacher or artist, or it can be used sarcastically to describe the desperate efforts of someone trying to cover up a lie or plot a scheme.

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📖 Today's 成语: 微不足道 (wēi bù zú dào)

Meaning: Insignificant / Not worth mentioning

Summary: 微不足道 (wēi bù zú dào) is an idiom used to describe things that are extremely small or insignificant. It can be used to objectively state that something is unimportant, or as a polite way to downplay one's own achievements or help as 'nothing special.' It is a versatile phrase suitable for both casual and formal contexts.

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微不足道 (wēi bù zú dào) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 饶有兴趣 (ráo yǒu xìng qù)

Meaning: With great interest (full of curiosity)

Summary: 饶有兴趣 (ráo yǒu xìng qù) is an idiom used to describe being deeply intrigued by a person, object, or event. It is most commonly used as an adverbial phrase to modify actions like watching, listening, or studying (e.g., 'watching with great interest'). It conveys a positive sense of curiosity and fascination.

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饶有兴趣 (ráo yǒu xìng qù) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 千山万水 (qiān shān wàn shuǐ)

Meaning: A thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers (an arduous journey)

Summary: The idiom 千山万水 (qiān shān wàn shuǐ) literally describes 'thousands of mountains and tens of thousands of rivers.' It is used to emphasize the immense distance of a journey or the great number of difficulties one must overcome to reach a destination. It can also be expressed as 万水千山 (wàn shuǐ qiān shān) with the same meaning.

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千山万水 (qiān shān

📖 Today's 成语: 事必躬亲 (shì bì gōng qīn)

Meaning: Attending to everything personally (Hands-on approach)

Summary: 事必躬亲 (shì bì gōng qīn) describes a person who handles all tasks themselves rather than delegating. Historically, it was a mark of a dedicated leader, but in modern contexts, it is often used to critique inefficient management styles where a leader takes on too much responsibility.

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事必躬亲 (shì bì gōng qīn) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě)

Meaning: To keep carving without stopping (unwavering perseverance)

Summary: 锲而不舍 (qiè ér bù shě) is a highly positive idiom used to praise someone's persistence and grit. Originating from the writings of the philosopher Xunzi (荀子), it suggests that just as one can carve through metal or stone by not stopping, any goal can be achieved through continuous, 'never-say-die' effort. It is a staple in academic and professional contexts to emphasize that 'persistence is the key to success.'

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锲而不舍 (qiè é

📖 Today's 成语: 胡思乱想 (hú sī luàn xiǎng)

Meaning: To let one's imagination run wild (to overthink)

Summary: 胡思乱想 (hú sī luàn xiǎng) describes a state of mind where thoughts are scattered, groundless, or overly negative. It is frequently used to tell someone to "stop overthinking" or "stop worrying about things that aren't true." Unlike simple daydreaming, it often carries a nuance of mental instability or unproductive anxiety.

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胡思乱想 (hú sī luàn xiǎng) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 不识抬举 (bù shí tái ju)

Meaning: Failing to appreciate a favor (ungrateful and arrogant)

Summary: The idiom 不识抬举 (bù shí tái ju) is a critical expression used to rebuke someone who does not appreciate the favor or support offered to them. The term 抬举 (tái ju) literally means to 'lift up' or 'promote' someone. When someone is described as 'not recognizing' this lifting, it suggests they are being insolent or ungrateful. It is a highly condescending and aggressive phrase, typically used by someone who feels they have done the other person a significant favor.

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📖 Today's 成语: 退避三舍 (tuì bì sān shè)

Meaning: Retreating ninety li (giving way to avoid conflict)

Summary: The idiom 退避三舍 (tuì bì sān shè) is used to describe the act of giving way or keeping a distance to avoid a clash. Originating from a historical story involving Duke Wen of Jin (晋文公), the phrase has shifted from its literal military meaning of retreating a specific distance to a broader social context. It can be used positively to describe a wise avoidance of trouble, or more neutrally to describe being overwhelmed by someone else's power or presence.

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📖 Today's 成语: 立锥之地 (lì zhuī zhī dì)

Meaning: A place to stand an awl (a tiny foothold)

Summary: The idiom 立锥之地 (lì zhuī zhī dì) describes a space so small it can only accommodate the tip of a sharp tool. In modern usage, it often appears with the word 无 (wú), meaning 'without,' to emphasize that someone has no place to call their own, is destitute, or is in a situation so crowded that there is no room to move. It highlights the loss of a physical or social foothold.

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📖 Today's 成语: 久经沙场 (jiǔ jīng shā chǎng)

Meaning: Battle-hardened (a seasoned veteran)

Summary: 久经沙场 (jiǔ jīng shā chǎng) is an idiom used to describe a "battle-hardened veteran" in any field. It praises the toughness and skill that come from surviving harsh environments and accumulating rich, real-world experience.

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久经沙场 (jiǔ jīng shā chǎng) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 想方设法 (xiǎng fāng shè fǎ)

Meaning: To try every possible means / To think of ways and means

Summary: 想方设法 (xiǎng fāng shè fǎ) describes the proactive effort of racking one's brains to find a solution. It is a versatile idiom used in both formal and informal contexts to express the idea of 'doing whatever it takes' or 'finding a way' to make something happen.

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想方设法 (xiǎng fāng shè fǎ) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 有目共睹 (yǒu mù gòng dǔ)

Meaning: Obvious to all (plain for everyone to see)

Summary: The idiom 有目共睹 (yǒu mù gòng dǔ) is used to emphasize that a fact, achievement, or behavior is so evident that it has gained public consensus. It literally means 'everyone who has eyes sees it together.' It is frequently used in formal speeches or professional contexts to praise someone's contributions or to point out an undeniable social reality, often appearing within the '是...的' (shì...de) grammatical structure for emphasis.

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📖 Today's 成语: 无影无踪 (wú yǐng wú zōng)

Meaning: To vanish without a trace / To disappear into thin air

Summary: 无影无踪 (wú yǐng wú zōng) is a versatile idiom used to describe something or someone vanishing completely. It is not limited to physical objects; it is frequently used for psychological shifts, such as fatigue or worries 'melting away.' It is most commonly used in the grammatical structure 消失得无影无踪 (xiāo shī de wú yǐng wú zōng), meaning 'disappeared without a trace.'

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无影无踪 (

📖 Today's 成语: 适可而止 (shì kě ér zhǐ)

Meaning: Stop while you're ahead (know when to stop)

Summary: The idiom 适可而止 (shì kě ér zhǐ) is a piece of wisdom teaching that everything has a proper limit. Whether it involves joking, eating, working, or interpersonal conflict, it suggests that one should stop once a suitable level is reached. It is frequently used to advise others to 'not overdo it' or to 'know when to quit' before a situation turns negative.

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适可而止 (shì kě ér zhǐ) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 意料之外 (yì liào zhī wài)

Meaning: Beyond expectation (unexpected)

Summary: 意料之外 (yì liào zhī wài) is the most common way to express that something is "unexpected" in Chinese. It is versatile and can be used for both good and bad news. Common grammatical structures include 在...意料之外 (zài... yì liào zhī wài), meaning "beyond someone's expectations," and 出乎意料之外 (chū hū yì liào zhī wài), which means "to exceed expectations."

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意料之外 (yì liào zhī wài) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì)

Meaning: To have one's feet on solid ground (down-to-earth)

Summary: 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì) is a highly positive idiom used to describe someone who is practical and works hard in a steady, step-by-step manner. It is one of the highest forms of praise for a person's character, suggesting they are reliable and grounded rather than superficial or overly ambitious without substance.

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脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 竹篮打水 (zhú lán dá shuǐ)

Meaning: Drawing water with a bamboo basket (all for nothing)

Summary: 竹篮打水 (zhú lán dá shuǐ) describes the act of trying to fetch water with a leaky bamboo basket, symbolizing futile efforts. It is most commonly used in the full phrase 竹篮打水一场空 (zhú lán dá shuǐ yī chǎng kōng), which emphasizes that the final result is 'empty' or 'nothing.' It is often used to lament failed plans or wasted energy.

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竹篮打水 (zhú lán dá shuǐ) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 无理取闹 (wú lǐ qǔ nào)

Meaning: To make a scene without reason (being deliberately unreasonable)

Summary: 无理取闹 (wú lǐ qǔ nào) is a common idiom used to criticize behavior where someone causes a disturbance or makes unreasonable demands without a logical basis. It covers a range of behaviors, from a child throwing a tantrum to an adult making baseless accusations or 'Karens' making unreasonable demands in public. It highlights the total lack of 道理 (dào lǐ), or 'reason,' in the person's actions.

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📖 Today's 成语: 苍白无力 (cāng bái wú lì)

Meaning: Pale and weak (lacking persuasion or substance)

Summary: 苍白无力 (cāng bái wú lì) literally translates to 'pale and powerless.' While it can describe a sickly appearance, it is most frequently used as a critique of language, arguments, or creative works that feel hollow or unconvincing. It suggests that the subject lacks the 'blood' or 'muscle' to be effective, especially when confronted with hard evidence or profound reality.

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苍白无力 (cāng bái wú lì) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 江河日下 (jiāng hé rì xià)

Meaning: Rivers flowing down daily (in steady decline)

Summary: The idiom 江河日下 (jiāng hé rì xià) uses the metaphor of a great river's inevitable downstream flow to describe a continuous and often irreversible decline. It is frequently applied to contexts where an entity—be it a company, a society, or an individual—has lost its former glory and is now in a state of steady deterioration.

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江河日下 (jiāng hé rì xià) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 风云突变 (fēng yún tū biàn)

Meaning: A sudden change in the situation (like wind and clouds changing suddenly)

Summary: 风云突变 (fēng yún tū biàn) describes a sudden, drastic shift in a macro-level situation, such as in politics, military affairs, or business. It implies a transition from stability to crisis or chaos. It is a formal expression and is generally not used for minor personal changes.

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风云突变 (fēng yún tū biàn) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 自食其果 (zì shí qí guǒ)

Meaning: To reap what one sows (negative consequences)

Summary: 自食其果 (zì shí qí guǒ) is a critical idiom used when someone suffers because of their own wrongdoing. It literally means "eating the fruit of one's own actions." Similar to the English expressions "to reap what you sow" or "to have something come back to haunt you," it carries a tone of "getting what one deserves" and is often used as a warning or a harsh judgment of someone's failure.

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📖 Today's 成语: 不知所措 (bù zhī suǒ cuò)

Meaning: At a loss (not knowing what to do)

Summary: The idiom 不知所措 (bù zhī suǒ cuò) describes a state of being overwhelmed to the point of inaction. Whether caused by a sudden crisis, a surge of emotion, or even unexpected praise, it captures the moment when a person is so confused or nervous that they simply do not know how to react or what their next move should be.

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不知所措 (bù zhī suǒ cuò) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 有条不紊 (yǒu tiáo bù wěn)

Meaning: Methodical and orderly

Summary: 有条不紊 (yǒu tiáo bù wěn) is used to praise a process or person that is highly organized and logical. Whether it is managing a project, explaining a complex idea, or responding to an emergency, this idiom highlights a lack of chaos and a presence of clear, step-by-step order.

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有条不紊 (yǒu tiáo bù wěn) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 畅所欲言 (chàng suǒ yù yán)

Meaning: To speak one's mind freely

Summary: 畅所欲言 (chàng suǒ yù yán) is a positive expression used to invite people to speak up without fear or restraint. It implies removing psychological barriers to allow for a full, honest, and satisfying exchange of ideas.

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畅所欲言 (chàng suǒ yù yán) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 咎由自取 (jiù yóu zì qǔ)

Meaning: To have only oneself to blame (bringing misfortune upon oneself)

Summary: 咎由自取 (jiù yóu zì qǔ) is an idiom used to point out that a bad result or disaster is entirely rooted in one's own behavior. Similar to the English phrase 'to bring it upon oneself,' it is typically used in a critical context to suggest that the person has no one else to blame. It can be applied to individual failures or as a warning regarding the collective actions of groups or humanity as a whole.

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📖 Today's 成语: 一筹莫展 (yī chóu mò zhǎn)

Meaning: Unable to find a single solution (at one's wits' end)

Summary: 一筹莫展 (yī chóu mò zhǎn) is used to describe a situation where one is completely 'stumped' or 'at a loss.' Originating from the ancient calculation tool 筹 (chóu), it emphasizes an intellectual impasse where not a single plan can be put into action. It is commonly used in business, personal dilemmas, or emergency situations where all options have been exhausted.

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一筹莫展 (yī c

📖 Today's 成语: 心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng yuàn)

Meaning: Willingly and gladly (of one's own free will)

Summary: 心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng yuàn) is a common idiom used to describe actions driven by the heart rather than external pressure. It is frequently used in contexts of devotion—such as a parent's sacrifice for a child or a person's dedication to a dream—where the individual finds fulfillment in the act itself, regardless of the difficulty involved.

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心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng y

📖 Today's 成语: 调虎离山 (diào hǔ lí shān)

Meaning: Luring the tiger away from the mountain (drawing the enemy out of their stronghold)

Summary: The idiom 调虎离山 (diào hǔ lí shān) refers to luring a powerful enemy away from their base of strength to make them vulnerable. While it originates from ancient military strategy, it is now widely used in business negotiations, sports tactics, and security contexts to describe any 'decoy' or 'diversionary' maneuver.

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调虎离山 (diào hǔ lí shān) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 盛极一时 (shèng jí yī shí)

Meaning: At the peak of its popularity (flourishing for a time)

Summary: 盛极一时 (shèng jí yī shí) describes something that reached its absolute zenith at a particular point in history. It is used to describe everything from fashion trends to the prosperity of nations. It is frequently used in a retrospective sense to discuss past glories that are no longer as dominant as they once were.

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盛极一时 (shèng jí yī shí) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì)

Meaning: Seeking truth from facts (being realistic and objective)

Summary: 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì) is a highly positive and serious idiom that emphasizes pursuing truth based on evidence. It is used in academic, business, and political contexts to praise or demand a 'realistic,' 'objective,' and 'honest' attitude. It carries a stronger nuance of valuing data and evidence than simply being 'honest.'

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实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 前因后果 (qián yīn hòu guǒ)

Meaning: The cause and effect (the whole story / the ins and outs)

Summary: 前因后果 (qián yīn hòu guǒ) is an idiom used to describe the full process of how an event unfolded. While it literally translates to "previous cause and later result," it is most often used in modern contexts to mean "the whole story" or "the full context" when explaining or investigating a complex matter.

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前因后果 (qián yīn hòu guǒ) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 别有用心 (bié yǒu yòng xīn)

Meaning: To have an ulterior motive

Summary: 别有用心 (bié yǒu yòng xīn) is used to criticize someone whose actions or words mask a hidden, often malicious, intent. It is equivalent to saying someone has an 'ulterior motive' or is 'up to something.' This negative expression is widely used in contexts ranging from personal suspicions to political accusations of conspiracy.

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别有用心 (bié yǒu yòng xīn) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 迷惑不解 (mí huò bù jiě)

Meaning: Puzzled and unable to understand (baffled)

Summary: The idiom 迷惑不解 (mí huò bù jiě) describes a state of being thoroughly baffled. It combines the feeling of being lost or puzzled with a literal inability to comprehend why something is happening. It is widely used in both daily conversation and literature to describe a person's reaction to unexpected, illogical, or mysterious events.

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迷惑不解 (mí huò bù jiě) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 广阔无垠 (guǎng kuò wú yín)

Meaning: Vast and boundless

Summary: 广阔无垠 (guǎng kuò wú yín) is a common idiom used to describe landscapes that stretch infinitely. Literally meaning 'vast and without a boundary' (垠), it evokes a sense of grandeur and awe. It is a staple in descriptive writing and literature to convey the magnificent scale of the world.

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广阔无垠 (guǎng kuò wú yín) | 每天成语

📖 Today's 成语: 旗开得胜 (qí kāi dé shèng)

Meaning: To win victory as soon as the flag is unfurled (to get off to a flying start)

Summary: 旗开得胜 (qí kāi dé shèng) is a highly positive idiom used to describe an immediate win or success at the start of an event. It is commonly used in sports to describe winning an opening match, or in business for a successful launch. It is often paired with 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng) to wish someone swift and total success.

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📖 Today's 成语: 不可胜数 (bù kě shèng shǔ)

Meaning: Innumerable (too many to count)

Summary: The idiom 不可胜数 (bù kě shèng shǔ) is a formal expression used to describe an uncountable quantity. Whether referring to physical objects like stars in the sky or abstract concepts like historical events, it conveys that the subject is beyond calculation. While it has a literary tone, it is frequently encountered in modern news and formal writing to highlight scale.

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不可胜数 (bù kě shèng shǔ) | 每天成语