Chinese idioms starting with F

Four-character idioms (chengyu) from CC-CEDICT, sorted by pinyin.

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• 发奋图强 fā fèn tú qiáng to make an effort to become strong ; determined to do better
• 发愤图强 fā fèn tú qiáng to be strongly determined to succeed
• 发愤忘食 fā fèn wàng shí so dedicated as to forget one's meals
• 发奋有为 fā fèn yǒu wéi to prove one's worth through firm resolve
• 发号施令 fā hào shī lìng to boss people around
• 发聋振聩 fā lóng zhèn kuì lit. so loud that even the deaf can hear ; rousing even the
• 发人深思 fā rén shēn sī thought-provoking
• 发人深省 fā rén shēn xǐng to provide food for thought
• 乏善可陈 fá shàn kě chén to be nothing to write home about
• 法网难逃 fǎ wǎng nán táo it is hard to escape the net of justice
• 发扬踔厉 fā yáng chuō lì to be full of vigor
• 发指眦裂 fà zhǐ zì liè hair standing up and eyes wide in anger ; enraged
• 反败为胜 fǎn bài wéi shèng to turn defeat into victory ; to turn the tide
• 梵册贝叶 fàn cè bèi yè Sanskrit on Talipot palm leaves ; Buddhist scripture
• 反唇相讥 fǎn chún xiāng jī to answer back sarcastically; to retort
• 翻江倒海 fān jiāng dǎo hǎi lit. overturning seas and rivers
• 反客为主 fǎn kè wéi zhǔ lit. the guest acts as host ; fig. to turn from passive to a
• 翻空出奇 fān kōng chū qí to overturn empty convention, and display originality ; new
• 泛滥成灾 fàn làn chéng zāi lit. to flood
• 返老还童 fǎn lǎo huán tóng to recover one's youthful vigor
• 翻老皇历 fān lǎo huáng lì to look to the past for guidance
• 反脸无情 fǎn liǎn wú qíng to turn one's face against sb and show no mercy ; to turn ag
• 反目成仇 fǎn mù chéng chóu to fall out with sb; to become enemies
• 反裘负刍 fǎn qiú fù chú lit. to wear one's coat inside out and carry firewood on one
• 饭糗茹草 fàn qiǔ rú cǎo (lit.) to live on dry provisions and wild herbs
• 幡然改图 fān rán gǎi tú to change one's plan all of a sudden
• 繁荣昌盛 fán róng chāng shèng glorious and flourishing ; thriving
• 翻山越岭 fān shān yuè lǐng lit. to pass over mountain ridges
• 犯上作乱 fàn shàng zuò luàn to rebel against the emperor
• 翻天覆地 fān tiān fù dì sky and the earth turning upside down ; fig. complete confus
• 翻箱倒柜 fān xiāng dǎo guì to overturn trunks and boxes
• 翻箱倒箧 fān xiāng dǎo qiè to overturn trunks and boxes
• 翻云覆雨 fān yún fù yǔ to produce clouds with one turn of the hand and rain with an
• 防不胜防 fáng bù shèng fáng virtually impossible to prevent
• 方寸大乱 fāng cùn dà luàn to become agitated
• 方寸已乱 fāng cùn yǐ luàn confused
• 放诞不羁 fàng dàn bù jī wanton and unrestrained ; dissolute
• 放诞不拘 fàng dàn bù jū wanton and unrestrained ; dissolute
• 放荡不羁 fàng dàng bù jī wanton and unrestrained ; dissolute
• 防患未萌 fáng huàn wèi méng to prevent a disaster before the event ; to nip sth in the b
• 防患未然 fáng huàn wèi rán to prevent troubles before the event
• 放开手脚 fàng kāi shǒu jiǎo to have free rein
• 放浪不羁 fàng làng bù jī wanton and unrestrained ; dissolute
• 放浪形骸 fàng làng xíng hái to abandon all restraint
• 放马后炮 fàng mǎ hòu pào to fire after the horse has bolted ; to act too late to be e
• 访贫问苦 fǎng pín wèn kǔ to visit the poor and ask about their suffering
• 房前屋后 fáng qián wū hòu the area around one's house
• 访亲问友 fǎng qīn wèn yǒu to visit friends and relations
• 放情丘壑 fàng qíng qiū hè to enjoy oneself in nature's embrace
• 方枘圆凿 fāng ruì yuán záo (lit.) like a square peg in a round hole
• 防微杜渐 fáng wēi dù jiàn to nip in the bud
• 方兴未艾 fāng xīng wèi ài flourishing and still in the ascendant ; rapidly expanding
• 方兴未已 fāng xīng wèi yǐ flourishing and still in the ascendant ; rapidly expanding
• 蜚短流长 fēi duǎn liú cháng to gossip about others; to spread gossip or rumors
• 非分之想 fēi fèn zhī xiǎng a presumptuous desire; an aspiration beyond one's reach
• 飞觥走斝 fēi gōng zǒu jiǎ to drink one's fill
• 飞黄腾达 Fēi huáng téng dá lit. the divine steed Feihuang gallops
• 费尽心机 fèi jìn xīn jī to rack one's brains for schemes
• 费尽心思 fèi jìn xīn si to rack one's brains ; to take great pains to think sth thro
• 飞来横祸 fēi lái hèng huò sudden and unexpected disaster
• 非你莫属 fēi nǐ mò shǔ it's yours exclusively
• 非亲非故 fēi qīn fēi gù lit. neither a relative nor a friend
• 废寝忘食 fèi qǐn wàng shí to skip one's sleep and meals; to be completely wrapped up i
• 飞禽走兽 fēi qín zǒu shòu birds and animals
• 非同寻常 fēi tóng xún cháng extraordinary
• 非异人任 fēi yì rén rèn to bear one's own responsibilities and not pass them to othe
• 飞鹰走马 fēi yīng zǒu mǎ to ride out hawking ; to hunt
• 飞针走线 fēi zhēn zǒu xiàn flying needle and running seam ; skillful needlework
• 分崩离析 fēn bēng lí xī to collapse and fall apart ; to break up
• 奋不顾身 fèn bù gù shēn to dash on bravely with no thought of personal safety ; unda
• 分道扬镳 fēn dào yáng biāo lit. to take different roads and urge the horses on
• 分而治之 fēn ér zhì zhī to divide and rule
• 纷纷扬扬 fēn fēn yáng yáng (of leaves etc) fluttering about
• 焚膏继晷 fén gāo jì guǐ to burn the midnight oil ; to work continuously night and da
• 分门别类 fēn mén bié lèi to organize by categories; to classify
• 分秒必争 fēn miǎo bì zhēng seize every minute and second ; not a minute to lose
• 粉墨登场 fěn mò dēng chǎng to make up and go on stage ; to embark on a career (esp. in
• 分身乏术 fēn shēn fá shù to be up to one's ears in work
• 粉身碎骨 fěn shēn suì gǔ (lit.) torn body and crushed bones
• 纷至沓来 fēn zhì tà lái to come thick and fast
• 风餐露宿 fēng cān lù sù lit. to eat in the open air and sleep outdoors
• 逢场作戏 féng chǎng zuò xì lit. find a stage, put on a comedy ; to join in the fun
• 风尘仆仆 fēng chén pú pú lit. covered in dust
• 风吹草动 fēng chuī cǎo dòng (lit.) grass stirring in the wind
• 风吹日晒 fēng chuī rì shài to be exposed to the elements
• 风吹雨打 fēng chuī yǔ dǎ lit. windswept and battered by rain
• 奉公克己 fèng gōng kè jǐ self-restraint and devotion to public duties ; selfless dedi
• 丰功伟绩 fēng gōng wěi jì glorious achievement
• 风光旖旎 fēng guāng yǐ nǐ idyllic scenery; picturesque landscape
• 风和日丽 fēng hé rì lì moderate wind, beautiful sun ; fine sunny weather, esp. in s
• 风和日暖 fēng hé rì nuǎn gentle wind and warm sunshine
• 风和日暄 fēng hé rì xuān gentle wind and warm sunshine
• 风华绝代 fēng huá jué dài magnificent style unmatched in his generation ; peerless tal
• 风花雪月 fēng huā xuě yuè wind, flower, snow and moon, trite poetry subject ; effete l
• 峰回路转 fēng huí lù zhuǎn the mountain road twists around each new peak
• 烽火四起 fēng huǒ sì qǐ the fire of war in all four directions ; the confusion of wa
• 风流倜傥 fēng liú tì tǎng (usu. of a man) dashing and charming, esp. with romantic app
• 风流云散 fēng liú yún sàn lit. dispersed by wind and scattered like clouds ; fig. scat
• 风流韵事 fēng liú yùn shì poetic and passionate ; romance
• 锋芒内敛 fēng máng nèi liǎn to be talented yet self-effacing
• 凤毛麟角 fèng máo lín jiǎo lit. as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns
• 风靡一时 fēng mǐ yī shí fashionable for a while ; all the rage
• 风平浪静 fēng píng làng jìng lit. breeze is still, waves are quiet ; tranquil environment
• 风起潮涌 fēng qǐ cháo yǒng lit. wind rises, tide bubbles up
• 封妻荫子 fēng qī yìn zǐ to bestow a title on the wife of a deserving official and ma
• 风起云涌 fēng qǐ yún yǒng to surge like a gathering storm
• 风情万种 fēng qíng wàn zhǒng captivating; charming
• 风趣横生 fēng qù héng shēng spiced with wit
• 奉若神明 fèng ruò shén míng to honor sb as a God ; to revere
• 风声鹤唳 fēng shēng hè lì lit. wind sighing and crane calling
• 风生水起 fēng shēng shuǐ qǐ lit. a breeze springs up and creates waves on the water
• 风霜雨雪 fēng shuāng yǔ xuě (lit.) wind, frost, rain and snow
• 风恬浪静 fēng tián làng jìng lit. breeze is still, waves are quiet ; tranquil environment
• 风调雨顺 fēng tiáo yǔ shùn to have good weather for crops
• 风土人情 fēng tǔ rén qíng local conditions and customs
• 奉为圭臬 fèng wéi guī niè to take as a guiding principle
• 风行一时 fēng xíng yī shí to be popular for a while; to be all the rage for a time
• 逢凶化吉 féng xiōng huà jí misfortune turns to blessing ; to turn an inauspicious start
• 风雪交加 fēng xuě jiāo jiā stormy with wind and snow; blizzard-like (conditions)
• 烽烟遍地 fēng yān biàn dì fire beacons on all sides ; enveloped in the flames of war
• 烽烟四起 fēng yān sì qǐ lit. fire beacons in all four directions ; the confusion of
• 丰衣足食 fēng yī zú shí having ample food and clothing ; well fed and clothed
• 风雨晦冥 fēng yǔ huì míng conditions of extreme adversity
• 风雨交加 fēng yǔ jiāo jiā wild and stormy; windy and wet
• 风雨飘摇 fēng yǔ piāo yáo tossed about by the wind and rain
• 风雨如晦 fēng yǔ rú huì lit. wind and rain darken the sky ; fig. the situation looks
• 风雨同舟 fēng yǔ tóng zhōu lit. in the same boat under wind and rain ; fig. to stick to
• 风雨欲来 fēng yǔ yù lái lit. storm clouds approach
• 风云变幻 fēng yún biàn huàn changeable situation
• 风云人物 fēng yún rén wù the man (or woman) of the moment
• 风中之烛 fēng zhōng zhī zhú lit. candle in the wind
• 风姿绰约 fēng zī chuò yuē graceful; lovely
• 佛口蛇心 fó kǒu shé xīn words of a Buddha, heart of a snake ; two-faced
• 腹背受敌 fù bèi shòu dí to be attacked from the front and rear
• 腹背相亲 fù bèi xiāng qīn to be on intimate terms with sb
• 浮出水面 fú chū shuǐ miàn to float up ; to become evident
• 父慈子孝 fù cí zǐ xiào benevolent father, filial son
• 釜底游鱼 fǔ dǐ yóu yú a fish at the bottom of the pot
• 妇姑勃溪 fù gū bó xī dispute among womenfolk ; family squabbles
• 桴鼓相应 fú gǔ xiāng yìng lit. the hammer fits the drum ; appropriate relation between
• 浮光掠影 fú guāng lüè yǐng flickering light and passing shadows
• 富国强兵 fù guó qiáng bīng lit. rich country, strong army ; slogan of legalist philosop
• 缚鸡之力 fù jī zhī lì (lit.) the strength to truss a chicken
• 浮家泛宅 fú jiā fàn zhái lit. to live on a boat
• 富甲一方 fù jiǎ yī fāng to be the richest person (or family) in a region; to possess
• 负荆请罪 fù jīng qǐng zuì lit. to bring a bramble and ask for punishment
• 富可敌国 fù kě dí guó having wealth equivalent to that of an entire nation
• 富丽堂皇 fù lì táng huáng (of houses etc) sumptuous
• 伏龙凤雏 fú lóng fèng chú hidden genius
• 妇人之仁 fù rén zhī rén excessive tendency to clemency
• 芙蓉出水 fú róng chū shuǐ lit. lotus rises from the water ; fig. to blossom (of poem o
• 福如东海 fú rú Dōng Hǎi may your happiness be as immense as the East Sea
• 妇孺皆知 fù rú jiē zhī understood by everyone ; well known
• 扶弱抑强 fú ruò yì qiáng to support the weak and restrain the strong ; robbing the ri
• 富商大贾 fù shāng dà gǔ tycoon; magnate
• 富商巨贾 fù shāng jù gǔ tycoon; magnate
• 俯拾皆是 fǔ shí jiē shì lit. so numerous that one could just bend down and pick them
• 俯首称臣 fǔ shǒu chēng chén to bow before
• 缚手缚脚 fù shǒu fù jiǎo to be bound by too many restrictions
• 俯首帖耳 fǔ shǒu tiē ěr bowed head and ears glued ; docile and obedient
• 覆水难收 fù shuǐ nán shōu spilt water is difficult to retrieve
• 腹笥便便 fù sì pián pián a learned person
• 赴汤蹈火 fù tāng dǎo huǒ lit. to jump into scalding water and plunge into raging fire
• 扶危济困 fú wēi jì kùn to help those in distress
• 福无双至 fú wú shuāng zhì blessings never come in pairs
• 福星高照 fú xīng gāo zhào lucky star in the ascendant ; a lucky sign
• 拂袖而去 fú xiù ér qù to storm off in a huff
• 敷衍了事 fū yǎn liǎo shì to do things half-heartedly; to merely go through the motion
• 敷衍塞责 fū yǎn sè zé to skimp on the job; to work half-heartedly; not to take the
• 负隅顽抗 fù yú wán kàng to put up fierce resistance despite being surrounded; to stu
• 斧钺汤镬 fǔ yuè tāng huò battle-ax and boiling cauldron ; facing torture and executio
• 斧钺之诛 fǔ yuè zhī zhū to die by battle-ax ; to be executed
• 浮云朝露 fú yún zhāo lù floating clouds, morning dew ; fig. ephemeral nature of huma
• 扶正压邪 fú zhèng yā xié to uphold good and suppress evil
• 付之丙丁 fù zhī bǐng dīng to burn down
• 付之东流 fù zhī dōng liú to commit to the waters ; to lose sth irrevocably
• 付之度外 fù zhī dù wài to think nothing of doing sth
• 付之一炬 fù zhī yī jù to put to the torch
• 付之一叹 fù zhī yī tàn to dismiss with a sigh ; a hopeless case
• 付之一笑 fù zhī yī xiào to dismiss sth with a laugh; to laugh it off
• 付诸实施 fù zhū shí shī to put into practice

Data: CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.