Chinese Expression Seeds

一丁不识一丁不识 means (idiom) illiterate. 一不做，二不休一不做，二不休 means lit. either don't do it, or don't rest (idiom). 一不小心一不小心 means to be a little bit careless; to have a moment of inattentiveness; accidentally. 一丘之貉一丘之貉 means jackals of the same tribe (idiom); fig. They are all just as bad as each other. 一之为甚一之为甚 means once is more than enough (idiom). 一干二净一干二净 means thoroughly (idiom). 一了百了一了百了 means (idiom) once the main problem is solved, all troubles are solved; death ends all one's troubles. 一事无成一事无成 means (idiom) to have achieved nothing; to be a total failure; to get nowhere. 一五一十一五一十 means lit. count by fives and tens (idiom); to narrate systematically and in full detail. 一以贯之一以贯之 means (idiom) (of a principle, purpose etc) consistently upheld; adhered to from beginning to end. 一个将军一个令一个将军一个令 means lit. one general, one order (idiom). 一个巴掌拍不响一个巴掌拍不响 means lit. one palm alone cannot clap (proverb). 一个萝卜一个坑一个萝卜一个坑 means lit. every turnip to its hole (idiom). 一传十，十传百一传十，十传百 means (idiom) (of news etc) to spread like wildfire; to be disseminated far and wide. 一元复始一元复始 means a new year begins (idiom). 一刀两断一刀两断 means (idiom) to make a clean break with; to have nothing more to do with. 一分一毫一分一毫 means (idiom) the tiniest bit. 一分为二一分为二 means one divides into two. 一切就绪一切就绪 means everything in its place and ready (idiom). 一刻千金一刻千金 means (idiom) time is gold; every minute is precious. 一反常态一反常态 means complete change from the normal state (idiom); quite uncharacteristic. 一口吃不成胖子一口吃不成胖子 means lit. you cannot get fat with only one mouthful (proverb). 一口吃个胖子一口吃个胖子 means lit. to want to get fat with only one mouthful (proverb). 一呼百应一呼百应 means (idiom) (of a call) to elict an enthusiastic response; to receive extensive approval. 一呼百诺一呼百诺 means one command brings a hundred responses (idiom); having hundreds of attendants at one's beck and call. 一命呜呼一命呜呼 means to die (idiom). 一哄而散一哄而散 means to disperse in confusion (idiom). 一哄而起一哄而起 means (of a group of people) to rush into action. 一哭二闹三上吊一哭二闹三上吊 means lit. to cry, then shout, then threaten suicide (saying). 一唱一和一唱一和 means to echo one another (idiom). 一唱三叹一唱三叹 means (idiom) (of literature or music) concise yet deeply evocative; inviting repeated savoring. 一问三不知一问三不知 means lit. to reply "don't know" whatever the question (idiom). 一回生二回熟一回生二回熟 means unfamiliar at first, but well accustomed soon enough (idiom). 一团和气一团和气 means (idiom) to keep on the right side of everyone (often at the expense of principle). 一团漆黑一团漆黑 means pitch-dark. 一塌糊涂一塌糊涂 means muddled and completely collapsing (idiom); in an awful condition. 一尘不染一尘不染 means (idiom) untainted by even a speck of dust; spotlessly clean; (of a person) honest; incorruptible. 一夔已足一夔已足 means one talented person is enough for the job (idiom). 一夕数惊一夕数惊 means lit. one scare after another in a single night (idiom). 一夜之间一夜之间 means (lit. and fig.) overnight. 一夜爆红一夜爆红 means to become popular overnight. 一失足成千古恨一失足成千古恨 means a single slip may cause everlasting sorrow (idiom). 一如既往一如既往 means (idiom) just as in the past; as before; continuing as always. 一字一泪一字一泪 means each word is a teardrop (idiom). 一字不差一字不差 means (idiom) word for word; verbatim; without a single mistake or omission. 一字不提一字不提 means to not mention a single word (about sth) (idiom). 一字之师一字之师 means one who can correct a misread or misspelt character and thus be your master. 一字千金一字千金 means one word worth a thousand in gold (idiom). 一字褒贬一字褒贬 means lit. to dispense praise or blame with a single word (idiom). 一家人不说两家话一家人不说两家话 means lit. family members speak frankly with one another, not courteously, as if they were from two different families (idiom). 一寸光阴一寸金一寸光阴一寸金 means (saying) time is precious. 一山不容二虎一山不容二虎 means lit. the mountain can't have two tigers (idiom). 一帆风顺一帆风顺 means propitious wind throughout the journey (idiom). 一年之计在于春一年之计在于春 means the whole year must be planned for in the spring (idiom). 一弹指顷一弹指顷 means a snap of the fingers (idiom); in a flash. 一往无前一往无前 means to advance courageously (idiom). 一心一德一心一德 means of one heart and one mind (idiom). 一心二用一心二用 means to do two things at once (idiom). 一意孤行一意孤行 means obstinately clinging to one's course (idiom). 一成不变一成不变 means (idiom) immutable; impervious to change; set in stone. 一技之长一技之长 means proficiency in a particular field (idiom). 一把屎一把尿一把屎一把尿 means to have endured all sorts of hardships (to raise one's children) (idiom). 一把年纪一把年纪 means to be getting on in years. 一把眼泪一把鼻涕一把眼泪一把鼻涕 means with one's face covered in tears (idiom). 一把钥匙开一把锁一把钥匙开一把锁 means One key opens one lock. 一折两段一折两段 means to split sth into two (idiom). 一拍即合一拍即合 means lit. to be together from the first beat (idiom). 一扫而空一扫而空 means (idiom) to make a clean sweep of; to clean out. 一掬同情之泪一掬同情之泪 means to shed tears of sympathy (idiom). 一拥而入一拥而入 means to swarm in (of people etc) (idiom). 一掷千金一掷千金 means lit. stake a thousand pieces of gold on one throw (idiom); to throw away money recklessly. 一改故辙一改故辙 means complete change from the old rut (idiom); dramatic change of direction. 一败涂地一败涂地 means lit. defeated, the ground blanketed with bodies (idiom). 一文不值一文不值 means worthless (idiom). 一文不名一文不名 means to be penniless. 一日三秋一日三秋 means a single day apart seems like three seasons (idiom). 一日之计在于晨一日之计在于晨 means make your day's plan early in the morning (idiom). 一日之雅一日之雅 means lit. friends for a day (idiom). 一日千里一日千里 means lit. one day, a thousand miles (idiom); rapid progress. 一是一，二是二一是一，二是二 means lit. one is one, two is two (idiom). 一时半刻一时半刻 means (idiom) a short time; a little while. 一时瑜亮一时瑜亮 means two remarkable persons living at the same period (as 周瑜[Zhou1 Yu2] and 諸葛亮|诸葛亮[Zhu1 ge3 Liang4]). 一曝十寒一曝十寒 means one day's sun, ten days' frost (idiom, from Mencius); fig. to work for a bit then skimp. 一望而知一望而知 means (idiom) to be evident at a glance. 一朝一夕一朝一夕 means lit. one morning and one evening (idiom). 一朝天子一朝臣一朝天子一朝臣 means new emperor, new officials (idiom). 一木难支一木难支 means lit. a single post cannot prop up a falling house (idiom). 一本正经一本正经 means (idiom) in deadly earnest; deadpan. 一本万利一本万利 means small capital, huge profit (idiom); to put in a little and get a lot out. 一板一眼一板一眼 means lit. one strong beat and one weak beats in a measure of music (two beats in the bar) (idiom); fig. follow a prescribed pattern to the letter. 一板三眼一板三眼 means lit. one strong beat and three weak beats in a measure of music (four beats in the bar) (idiom); fig. scrupulous attention to detail. 一枝独秀一枝独秀 means lit. only one branch of the tree is thriving (idiom). 一柱擎天一柱擎天 means lit. to support the sky as a single pillar (idiom). 一条绳上的蚂蚱一条绳上的蚂蚱 means lit. grasshoppers tied together with a piece of string (idiom). 一条路走到黑一条路走到黑 means lit. to follow one road until dark (idiom). 一概而论一概而论 means to lump different matters together (idiom). 一模一样一模一样 means (idiom) exactly alike; identical. 一步一个脚印一步一个脚印 means one step, one footprint (idiom); steady progress. 一步登天一步登天 means reaching heaven in a single bound (idiom); (esp. with negative: don't expect) instant success. 一毛不拔一毛不拔 means lit. unwilling to spare a single hair (idiom). 一波三折一波三折 means calligraphic flourish with many twists. 一清二楚一清二楚 means to be very clear about sth (idiom). 一清二白一清二白 means perfectly clean. 一清如水一清如水 means lit. as clear as water (idiom). 一炮打响一炮打响 means (idiom) to hit the jackpot with a single shot; to achieve success at one's first try. 一炮而红一炮而红 means to win instant success (idiom). 一无所有一无所有 means not having anything at all (idiom); utterly lacking. 一无所知一无所知 means (idiom) not knowing anything at all; completely ignorant. 一无是处一无是处 means (idiom) not one good point; everything about it is wrong. 一物降一物一物降一物 means lit. one object bests another object. 一琴一鹤一琴一鹤 means carrying very little luggage (idiom). 一生一世一生一世 means a whole lifetime (idiom); all my life. 一男半女一男半女 means (idiom) a son or daughter; a child. 一病不起一病不起 means to fall gravely ill, never to recover (idiom). 一盘散沙一盘散沙 means lit. like a sheet of loose sand. 一目了然一目了然 means obvious at a glance (idiom). 一目十行一目十行 means ten lines at a glance (idiom). 一矢中的一矢中的 means to hit the target with a single shot. 一知半解一知半解 means (idiom) to have a superficial knowledge of a subject; to know a smattering of sth. 一石二鸟一石二鸟 means to kill two birds with one stone (idiom). 一碗水端平一碗水端平 means lit. to hold a bowl of water level (idiom). 一秉虔诚一秉虔诚 means earnestly and sincerely (idiom); devoutly. 一窍不通一窍不通 means lit. doesn't (even) enter a single aperture (of one's head). 一笔不苟一笔不苟 means lit. not even one stroke is negligent (idiom). 一笔带过一笔带过 means (idiom) to mention only very briefly; to skate over (a topic). 一箭之仇一箭之仇 means a wrong suffered (idiom). 一箭双雕一箭双雕 means lit. one arrow, two golden eagles (idiom). 一筹莫展一筹莫展 means to be unable to find a solution. 一纸空文一纸空文 means a worthless piece of paper (idiom). 一丝一毫一丝一毫 means one thread, one hair (idiom); a tiny bit. 一丝不挂一丝不挂 means not wearing one thread (idiom); absolutely naked. 一丝不苟一丝不苟 means not one thread loose (idiom); strictly according to the rules. 一网打尽一网打尽 means lit. to catch everything in the one net (idiom). 一线生机一线生机 means (idiom) a chance of survival; a fighting chance; a ray of hope. 一股清流一股清流 means (fig.) a breath of fresh air. 一脉相承一脉相承 means traceable to the same stock (idiom); of a common origin (of trends, ideas etc). 一举一动一举一动 means (idiom) every movement; each and every move. 一举两得一举两得 means lit. one action, two gains (idiom). 一般见识一般见识 means (idiom) to lower oneself to (sb's) level. 一落千丈一落千丈 means lit. to drop a thousand zhang in one fall (idiom). 一叶知秋一叶知秋 means lit. the falling of one leaf heralds the coming of autumn (idiom). 一叶障目一叶障目 means lit. eyes obscured by a single leaf (idiom). 一见钟情一见钟情 means to fall in love at first sight (idiom). 一见高低一见高低 means fig. to cross swords with. 一视同仁一视同仁 means to treat everyone equally favorably (idiom); not to discriminate between people. 一览无余一览无余 means to cover all at one glance (idiom). 一言一动一言一动 means (one's) every word and deed (idiom). 一言一行一言一行 means every word and action (idiom). 一言不合一言不合 means (idiom) to have a disagreement; to clash verbally. 一言不发一言不发 means to not say a word (idiom). 一言九鼎一言九鼎 means one word worth nine sacred tripods (idiom); words of enormous weight. 一言以蔽之一言以蔽之 means one word says it all (idiom, from Analects); to cut a long story short. 一言千金一言千金 means one word worth a thousand in gold (idiom); valuable advice. 一言为定一言为定 means (idiom) it's a deal. 一言为重一言为重 means each word carries weight. 一言难尽一言难尽 means hard to explain in a few words (idiom); complicated and not easy to express succinctly. 一语不发一语不发 means to not say a word (idiom). 一语中的一语中的 means (idiom) to hit the mark with a comment; to say sth spot on. 一语成谶一语成谶 means (idiom) to have one's words turn out to be (tragically) prophetic. 一语道破一语道破 means one word says it all (idiom). 一诺千金一诺千金 means lit. a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold (idiom). 一路货色一路货色 means (idiom) (pejorative) as detestable as each other; birds of a feather; cut from the same cloth. 一路顺风一路顺风 means to have a pleasant journey (idiom). 一蹴即至一蹴即至 means lit. to get there in one step (idiom). 一蹴可几一蹴可几 means to succeed at the first try (idiom). 一蹴而就一蹴而就 means to get there in one step (idiom); easily done. 一蹶不振一蹶不振 means one stumble, unable to rise (idiom); a setback leading to total collapse. 一身两役一身两役 means one person taking on two tasks simultaneously. 一身是胆一身是胆 means devoid of fear (idiom). 一辞莫赞一辞莫赞 means left speechless by sth perfect (idiom). 一通百通一通百通 means grasp this fundamental point and all the rest will follow (idiom). 一醉方休一醉方休 means to get thoroughly drunk (idiom). 一针见血一针见血 means lit. to draw blood on the first prick (idiom). 一锤定音一锤定音 means lit. to fix the tone with a single hammer blow. 一钱如命一钱如命 means (idiom) stingy; penny-pinching. 一长一短一长一短 means (idiom) talking endlessly; long-winded. 一门心思一门心思 means to set one's heart on sth (idiom). 一雨成秋一雨成秋 means a sudden shower towards the end of summer brings an abrupt arrival of autumn (idiom). 一雪前耻一雪前耻 means to wipe away a humiliation (idiom). 一头雾水一头雾水 means to be confused.