*Jiè dāo shā rén* is one of China’s Thirty‑Six Stratagems. Literally “borrow a knife to kill”, it refers to the manipulative trick of making a third party eliminate your opponent. The schemer stays hidden and avoids blame. It applies to military, political and real‑world scenarios, corresponding to “use someone as a cat’s‑paw” in English.
*Rú chū yī kǒu (如出一口)* is an ancient Chinese idiom from Han Feizi. It literally means words coming out of one mouth. Derived from a household deception story, it describes multiple people delivering identical statements. It may refer to genuine shared opinions or coordinated false testimony, matching the English phrase “speak with one voice”.
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 滥竽充数Pinyin: làn yú chōng shùLiteral Meaning: Play the yu poorly merely to make up the number. Figurative definition Cultural & historical background This idiom comes from Han Feizi · Inner Congruences, Part I. The yu was an ancient wind instrument similar to the sheng. King Xuan of Qi enjoyed large‑scale…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 事半功倍Pinyin: shì bàn gōng bèiLiteral Meaning: Half the effort, double the results. Figurative definition To achieve great outcomes with minimal expenditure of time, energy or labor; to work efficiently and get amplified returns. Cultural & historical background This idiom comes from the ancient Confucian philosopher Mencius, in the chapter Gongsun…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 火眼金睛Pinyin: huǒ yǎn jīn jīngLiteral Meaning: Fiery golden eyes. Figurative definition Extraordinarily sharp insight; the ability to see through tricks, disguises and false appearances, and detect hidden truths. Cultural & historical background This idiom originates from Yang Jingxian’s Journey to the West, a Yuan‑dynasty theatrical script. In the legend, Sun…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 祸起萧墙Pinyin: huò qǐ xiāo qiángLiteral Meaning: Disaster arises from the xiao‑qiang screen‑wall. Figurative definition Calamity, conflict or rebellion originates from inside a group, organization or nation, rather than from outside enemies. Cultural & historical background This idiom comes from a famous passage in the Analects (in the chapter Jishi). The…
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 高枕无忧Pinyin: gāo zhěn wú yōuLiteral Meaning: Prop one’s pillow high and sleep without worry. Figurative definition Cultural & historical background This idiom comes directly from the same famous story as “狡兔三窟” (The cunning rabbit has three burrows), recorded in the Warring States Records (Zhanguoce, 《战国策》). The powerful noble Lord Mengchang…