笑里藏刀
Hiding a Dagger Behind a Smile
唐朝有一个大臣李义府，表面上对人温和恭顺，跟人谈话总是面带微笑。但是，内心深处却十分阴险毒辣。凡是能力比他强大的人，他都要设法加以打击和谋害。当时人们称他是“笑中刀”。
In the Tang Dynasty, there was a minister called Lu Yifu who was always affable and smiling. But in his heart he was very sinister and ruthless. He constantly schemed against people he saw as possible rivals. He was called 'The knife in the smile'.
“笑里藏刀”是由“笑中刀”转化而来的，比喻表面装得善良和气，而内心暗藏阴险毒辣。
This idiom, derived from the above story, means disguising a ruthless nature behind a pleasant appearance.
老马识途
An Old Horse Knows the Way
春秋时代，齐桓公出征攻打北方一个小国。去的时候是春天，遍地绿草茵茵。回来的时候是冬天，白雪茫茫，狂风怒吼，于是齐桓公的队伍迷失了方向。找不到回去的路，大家都很着急。这时，齐桓公的宰相管仲说：“可以利用老马的经验。”于是齐桓公派人挑选了几匹老马在前面引路，果然走出了迷谷，找到了回去的道路。
In the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Huan of Qi led an army to attack a small state in the north. They went in spring when green grass covered the ground. But when they came back it was winter. Everywhere was white with snow and the wind was howling. The troops lost their way. While everybody was worrying, Guan Zhong, the duke's chief minister, suggested: 'An old horse may know the way.' So the duke ordered several old horse to be selected to lead the army. Finally, they found the way back home.
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“老马识途”这个成语用来比喻有经验的人，熟悉情况，办事效果好。
This idiom refers to the value of experience.
如火如荼
Like a Raging Fire
春秋时代，吴王夫差想做几个小国的霸主，率领三万军队向晋军挑战。他命令将士们以一万人为单位摆成一个正方形的阵势。当中的都穿白色衣服，拿着白色的旗帜，远远望去就像遍地盛开着白色荼花。左边的穿红色衣服，拿着红色的旗帜，远远望去就像满上燃烧着熊熊火焰。右边的穿黑色衣服，拿着黑色的旗帜，远远望去就像满天结集着浓密的乌云。夫差想利用这种声势去压倒对方。
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Fu Chai of Wu led a huge army against the State of Jin. He ordered his men to form three square contingents. The middle one was dressed in white and holding white flags, which looked from a distance just like the flowers of a field full of reeds. The left unit was in red and holding red flags, which looked from afar like flaming fire all over the mountains. The right unit was in black and holding black flags, which looked from a distance like thick black clouds covering the sky. Fu Chai was trying to present to the enemy a show of overwhelming force.
“如火如荼”这个成语形容气势旺盛，场面热烈的景象。
This idiom describes a scene of great momentum and exuberance.
天衣无缝
Divine Garments Without Seams
唐朝有个人叫郭翰。一个夏天的晚上，月光非常明亮。他忽然看见天空中有个女子轻盈而缓慢地飘落下来。他仔细地观察那个女子，发现她身上穿的衣服连一条缝也没有，感到非常奇怪，便问那个女子。女子回答说：“天衣本来就用不着针线缝合的呀！”
There was a man called Guo Han in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). One summer night, when the moon was very bright, he suddenly saw a girl descending slowly from the sky. He observed the girl closely, and found that the dress she was wearing was seamless. He was puzzled, and asked why. The girl answered, 'Heavenly clothes are not sewn with needle and thread.'
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“天衣无缝”这个成语用来比喻处理事情十分周密，不露一点痕迹。也比喻诗文写得很精辟，找不出一点毛病。
This idiom is used metaphorically to indicate the flawless handling of things. It can also be used to indicate a perfectly written poem or other literary article.
朝三暮四
Three in the Morning and Four in the Evening
春秋时代，宋国有一个人，养了一大群猴子。这些猴子能够听懂主人说的话。过了一段时间，主人家里穷了，想限制一下猴子每天吃的粮食。于是对猴子说：“每天给你们吃的橡子，早上三个，晚上四个，够了吗？”猴子们听了，都怒气冲冲地站立起来。主人又说：“早上四个，晚上三个，够了吗？”猴子么听了，都趴在地上表示满意。
In the Spring and Autumn Period, a man in the State of Song raised monkeys. The monkeys could understand what he said. As the man became poor, he wanted to reduce the monkeys' food. He first suggested that he give them three acorns in the morning and four acorns in the evening. Thereupon, the monkeys protested angrily. Then their owner said, 'How about four in the morning and three in the evening?' The monkeys were satisfied with that.
“朝三暮四”原来表示欺骗和愚弄的手段，以后改用来比喻说话、做事反复无常。
This idiom originally meant to befool others with tricks. Later it is used to mean to keep changing one's mind.
指鹿为马
Calling a Stag a Horse
秦朝丞相赵高想篡夺帝位，怕群臣们不服气，就想了一个办法来试一试大家。他牵来一只鹿献给皇帝说：“这是一匹马。”皇帝笑着说：“丞相你弄错了吧？这是一只鹿。”赵高就问旁边的大臣们。他们有的不做声，有的跟着赵高说是马，也有说是鹿的。凡是说鹿的人，后来都被赵高杀了。从此以后，群臣都害怕赵高。
In the Qin Dynasty, the prime minister, Zhao Gao, plotted to usurp the throne. Fearing that the other ministers would oppose this, he thought of a way of testing them. He presented a deer to the emperor, and said, 'This is a horse.' The emperor laughed, and said, 'You must be joking; this is a deer.' Then Zhao Gao asked the ministers present. Some kept silent, some agreed that it was a horse, and others said that it was a deer. Later Zhao Gao had all the ministers who had said that it was a deer killed.
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“指鹿为马”用来比喻故意颠倒黑白，混淆是非。
This metaphor describes distorting facts by calling white black.
杯弓蛇影
Mistaking the Reflection of a Bow for a Snake
晋朝（公元265--420）时，有一个叫乐广的人，请他的朋友到家里喝酒。朋友端起酒杯喝酒的时候，忽然看见杯子里面有条小蛇的影子，他当时勉强将酒喝下。而回家后总是想起这件令人恶心的事，以至于生了病。乐广知道后，就把朋友再次请来，还是坐在原来的地方喝酒。那位朋友这才弄明白了，原来杯中的蛇影，是墙上挂着的一张弓映照出来的。事情弄明白了，病也就好了。
In the Jin Dynasty(265-420), a man called Yue Guang once invited a friend to have a drink at his home. When the friend lifted his cup, he saw a small snake in the wine, yet he forced himself to drink. Back home, the friend recalled the incident, and felt so disgusted that he fell ill. Hearing about this, Yue Guang invited his friend again. He asked him to sit in the same place and drink. Then his friend saw that the image of the snake in the cup was actually the reflection of a bow hung on the wall. Realising this, the friend recovered quickly.
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