Chinese idioms starting with L

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

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

• 来鸿去燕 lái hóng qù yàn lit. the goose comes, the swallow goes ; fig. always on the
• 来历不明 lái lì bù míng of unknown origin; of dubious background
• 来龙去脉 lái lóng qù mài (lit.) the rise and fall of the terrain
• 来去无踪 lái qù wú zōng come without a shadow, leave without a footprint ; to come a
• 来日方长 lái rì fāng cháng the future is long ; there will be ample time for that later
• 来者不拒 lái zhě bù jù to refuse nobody
• 来之不易 lái zhī bù yì hard to come by; not easily obtained
• 来踪去迹 lái zōng qù jì (lit.) the traces of a person's movements
• 兰艾同焚 lán ài tóng fén lit. to burn both fragrant orchids and stinking weeds ; fig.
• 揽辔澄清 lǎn pèi chéng qīng to assume one's post with the aspiration of bringing about p
• 滥杀无辜 làn shā wú gū willfully slaughter the innocent
• 蓝田种玉 lán tián zhòng yù a marriage made in heaven
• 滥竽充数 làn yú chōng shù lit. to play the yu 竽 mouth organ to make up numbers ; fig.
• 烂醉如泥 làn zuì rú ní to be dead drunk; to be plastered
• 狼狈为奸 láng bèi wéi jiān villains collude together ; to work hand in glove with sb (t
• 狼奔豕突 láng bēn shǐ tū the wolf runs and the wild boar rushes ; crowds of evil-doer
• 狼虫虎豹 láng chóng hǔ bào ferocious beasts
• 锒铛入狱 láng dāng rù yù lit. to get shackled and thrown in jail
• 浪得虚名 làng dé xū míng to have an undeserved reputation
• 浪迹天涯 làng jì tiān yá to roam far and wide
• 狼吞虎咽 láng tūn hǔ yàn to wolf down one's food ; to devour ravenously
• 狼心狗肺 láng xīn gǒu fèi lit. heart of wolf and lungs of dog
• 狼烟四起 láng yān sì qǐ fire beacons on all sides ; enveloped in the flames of war
• 浪子回头 làng zǐ huí tóu the return of a prodigal son
• 狼子野心 láng zǐ yě xīn ambition of wild wolves ; rapacious designs
• 老蚌生珠 lǎo bàng shēng zhū lit. an old oyster producing a pearl
• 牢不可破 láo bù kě pò (usu. of sth abstract: an alliance, a conviction etc) unbrea
• 老大不小 lǎo dà bù xiǎo no longer a child
• 老当益壮 lǎo dāng yì zhuàng old but vigorous ; hale and hearty despite the years
• 老调重弹 lǎo diào chóng tán to play the same old tune ; unoriginal
• 老骥伏枥 lǎo jì fú lì lit. an old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop 1000
• 老骥嘶风 lǎo jì sī fēng old steed sniffs the wind ; fig. aged person with great aspi
• 老马恋栈 lǎo mǎ liàn zhàn lit. the old horse loves his stable
• 老马识途 lǎo mǎ shí tú an old horse knows the way ; an experienced worker knows wha
• 老马嘶风 lǎo mǎ sī fēng old horse sniffs the wind ; fig. aged person with great aspi
• 劳民伤财 láo mín shāng cái to waste both manpower and resources
• 老谋深算 lǎo móu shēn suàn rigorous schemes and deep foresight ; astute and circumspect
• 老牛破车 lǎo niú pò chē lit. old ox pulling a shabby cart
• 老牛舐犊 lǎo niú shì dú lit. an old ox licking its calf
• 老气横秋 lǎo qì héng qiū old and decrepit
• 老生常谈 lǎo shēng cháng tán an old observation
• 劳师动众 láo shī dòng zhòng to go to a great deal of trouble; to mobilize considerable m
• 老态龙钟 lǎo tài lóng zhōng doddering; senile
• 劳燕分飞 láo yàn fēn fēi the shrike and the swallow fly in different directions
• 老眼昏花 lǎo yǎn hūn huā blurred vision of an old person
• 劳逸结合 láo yì jié hé to strike a balance between work and rest
• 老于世故 lǎo yú shì gù experienced in the ways of the world ; worldly-wise
• 乐不可极 lè bù kě jí one should not overindulge in pleasure
• 乐不可支 lè bù kě zhī overjoyed ; as pleased as punch
• 乐不思蜀 lè bù sī Shǔ indulge in pleasure and forget home and duty
• 乐昌破镜 Lè chāng pò jìng (lit.) the story of the broken mirror of Princess Lechang 乐昌
• 乐此不疲 lè cǐ bù pí to enjoy sth and never tire of it
• 乐极生悲 lè jí shēng bēi extreme joy turns to sorrow ; Don't celebrate too soon, thin
• 乐于助人 lè yú zhù rén willing to help others
• 乐在其中 lè zài qí zhōng to take pleasure in sth
• 雷打不动 léi dǎ bù dòng not shaken by thunder ; the arrangements are unalterable
• 擂鼓鸣金 léi gǔ míng jīn to beat the drum and sound the gong ; fig. to order an advan
• 雷厉风行 léi lì fēng xíng pass like thunder and move like the wind ; swift and decisiv
• 泪流满面 lèi liú mǎn miàn cheeks streaming with tears
• 磊落大方 lěi luò dà fāng to be generous in the extreme
• 泪如雨下 lèi rú yǔ xià tears falling like rain
• 泪水涟涟 lèi shuǐ lián lián in floods of tears
• 泪眼婆娑 lèi yǎn pó suō tearful
• 冷嘲热讽 lěng cháo rè fěng frigid irony and scorching satire ; to mock and ridicule
• 冷言冷语 lěng yán lěng yǔ sarcastic comments
• 冷眼旁观 lěng yǎn páng guān to observe with an indifferent attitude; to be a bystander (
• 冷语冰人 lěng yǔ bīng rén to offend people with unkind remarks
• 礼崩乐坏 lǐ bēng yuè huài rites and music are in ruins ; fig. society in total disarra
• 力不从心 lì bù cóng xīn to lack the ability to do what one would wish
• 力不胜任 lì bù shèng rèn not to be up to the task
• 立地成佛 lì dì chéng fó to become a Buddha on the spot ; instant rehabilitation
• 立竿见影 lì gān jiàn yǐng (lit.) set up a pole and immediately see its shadow
• 梨花带雨 lí huā dài yǔ lit. like raindrops on a pear blossom
• 骊黄牝牡 lí huáng pìn mǔ a black stallion or possibly a yellow mare ; don't judge by
• 力尽神危 lì jìn shén wēi physically and mentally exhausted
• 励精图治 lì jīng tú zhì (of a ruler) to strive to make one's nation strong and prosp
• 历久弥坚 lì jiǔ mí jiān to become more resolute with the passing of time
• 历久弥新 lì jiǔ mí xīn lit. long in existence but ever new
• 历历在目 lì lì zài mù vivid in one's mind
• 莅临指导 lì lín zhǐ dǎo (of a notable person etc) to honor with one's presence and o
• 利令智昏 lì lìng zhì hūn to lose one's head through material greed
• 力排众议 lì pái zhòng yì to stand one's ground against the opinion of the masses
• 离情别绪 lí qíng bié xù sad feeling at separation
• 理屈词穷 lǐ qū cí qióng lit. having presented a flawed argument, one has nothing fur
• 礼尚往来 lǐ shàng wǎng lái lit. proper behavior is based on reciprocity
• 立身处世 lì shēn chǔ shì the way one conducts oneself in society
• 理所当然 lǐ suǒ dāng rán as it should be by rights ; proper and to be expected as a m
• 力所能及 lì suǒ néng jí as far as one's capabilities extend ; to the best of one's a
• 力挽狂澜 lì wǎn kuáng lán to pull strongly against a crazy tide ; fig. to try hard to
• 厉行节约 lì xíng jié yuē to practice strict economy
• 礼义廉耻 lǐ yì lián chǐ propriety, justice, integrity and a sense of shame (i.e. the
• 礼仪之邦 lǐ yí zhī bāng a land of ceremony and propriety
• 里应外合 lǐ yìng wài hé to coordinate outside and inside offensives
• 利欲熏心 lì yù xūn xīn blinded by greed
• 力争上游 lì zhēng shàng yóu to strive for mastery ; aiming for the best result
• 理直气壮 lǐ zhí qì zhuàng in the right and self-confident ; bold and confident with ju
• 连镳并轸 lián biāo bìng zhěn lit. reins together and carriages level ; keeping exactly ab
• 脸都绿了 liǎn dōu lǜ le green in the face
• 连滚带爬 lián gǔn dài pá stumbling and crawling; scrambling; frantically trying to es
• 脸红筋暴 liǎn hóng jīn bào red and tense with anger
• 脸红筋涨 liǎn hóng jīn zhǎng red and tense with anger
• 连绵不绝 lián mián bù jué continuous; unending
• 连篇累牍 lián piān lěi dú (of a piece of writing) long and tedious
• 连三并四 lián sān bìng sì one after the other
• 脸上贴金 liǎn shàng tiē jīn (lit.) to apply gold leaf to the face of a statue
• 连锁反应 lián suǒ fǎn yìng (physics) chain reaction
• 连拖带拉 lián tuō dài lā pushing and pulling
• 怜香惜玉 lián xiāng xī yù to have tender, protective feelings for the fairer sex
• 连战连胜 lián zhàn lián shèng fighting and winning a series of battles ; ever victorious
• 两败俱伤 liǎng bài jù shāng both sides suffer
• 两鬓斑白 liǎng bìn bān bái to have gray hair at the temples
• 量才录用 liàng cái lù yòng to assess sb's capabilities and employ him accordingly ; to
• 良辰吉日 liáng chén jí rì fine time, lucky day ; fig. good opportunity
• 良辰美景 liáng chén měi jǐng fine time, beautiful scenery ; everything lovely
• 良工心苦 liáng gōng xīn kǔ expert craft from hard practice ; hard-won skill
• 两虎相争 liǎng hǔ xiāng zhēng (lit.) two tigers fighting
• 两肋插刀 liǎng lèi chā dāo (lit.) to take knives in both sides
• 量力而行 liàng lì ér xíng to assess one's capabilities and act accordingly ; to act wi
• 两面三刀 liǎng miàn sān dāo two-faced, three knives ; double-cross
• 两全其美 liǎng quán qí měi to satisfy rival demands
• 量入为出 liàng rù wéi chū to assess one's income and spend accordingly ; to live withi
• 良师益友 liáng shī yì yǒu good teacher and helpful friend ; mentor
• 两手空空 liǎng shǒu kōng kōng empty-handed ; fig. not receiving anything
• 量体裁衣 liàng tǐ cái yī (lit.) to cut cloth according to the body
• 良宵美景 liáng xiāo měi jǐng fine evening, beautiful scenery
• 良心发现 liáng xīn fā xiàn to develop a conscience about sth after previously being unc
• 良心喂狗 liáng xīn wèi gǒu to have fed one's conscience to the dogs
• 两袖清风 liǎng xiù qīng fēng lit. both sleeves flowing in the breeze ; having clean hands
• 良药苦口 liáng yào kǔ kǒu good medicine tastes bitter ; fig. frank criticism is hard t
• 良知良能 liáng zhī liáng néng instinctive understanding, esp. of ethical issues ; untraine
• 聊表心意 liáo biǎo xīn yì to offer as a small token of one's feelings
• 寥寥可数 liáo liáo kě shǔ very few
• 寥寥无几 liáo liáo wú jǐ very few
• 了然于胸 liǎo rán yú xiōng to be well aware; to understand clearly
• 了如指掌 liǎo rú zhǐ zhǎng to know sth like the back of one's hand
• 寥若晨星 liáo ruò chén xīng rare as morning stars
• 聊胜于无 liáo shèng yú wú better than nothing
• 料事如神 liào shì rú shén to prophesy with supernatural accuracy
• 了无生趣 liǎo wú shēng qù to lose all interest in life
• 聊以自慰 liáo yǐ zì wèi to find some consolation
• 列祖列宗 liè zǔ liè zōng one's ancestors through the generations
• 麟角凤觜 lín jiǎo fèng zuǐ lit. qilin's horn, phoenix's mouth
• 临渴穿井 lín kě chuān jǐng lit. face thirst and dig a well ; fig. not to make adequate
• 临渴掘井 lín kě jué jǐng lit. not to dig a well until one is thirsty
• 琳琅满目 lín láng mǎn mù to be a feast for the eyes; to be a cornucopia of delights;
• 淋漓尽致 lín lí jìn zhì lit. extreme saturation
• 临危受命 lín wēi shòu mìng to take on a leadership role at a time of crisis
• 临阵磨枪 lín zhèn mó qiāng (lit.) to sharpen one's spear only before going into battle
• 临阵退缩 lín zhèn tuì suō to shrink back as the time for battle approaches
• 零打碎敲 líng dǎ suì qiāo to do things in bits and pieces ; piecemeal work
• 灵丹妙药 líng dān miào yào effective cure, miracle medicine ; fig. wonder-cure for all
• 灵机一动 líng jī yī dòng a bright idea suddenly occurs ; to hit upon an inspiration
• 凌乱不堪 líng luàn bù kān in a terrible mess
• 绫罗绸缎 líng luó chóu duàn silk and satin
• 另谋高就 lìng móu gāo jiù to get a better job somewhere else
• 另辟蹊径 lìng pì xī jìng to take an alternate route
• 另起炉灶 lìng qǐ lú zào lit. to set up a separate kitchen ; to start from scratch
• 零敲碎打 líng qiāo suì dǎ to do things in bits and pieces ; piecemeal work
• 另请高明 lìng qǐng gāo míng please find sb better qualified than me
• 令人发指 lìng rén fà zhǐ to make one feel a sense of revulsion; abhorrent; heinous; d
• 令人瞩目 lìng rén zhǔ mù attention-grabbing; noteworthy
• 令行禁止 lìng xíng jìn zhǐ (lit.) orders are carried out and prohibitions are observed
• 伶牙俐齿 líng yá lì chǐ clever and eloquent ; fluent
• 另有企图 lìng yǒu qǐ tú to have an ulterior motive
• 柳暗花明 liǔ àn huā míng lit. the willow trees make the shade, the flowers give the l
• 流芳百世 liú fāng bǎi shì (of one's name, reputation etc) to be immortalized
• 流光溢彩 liú guāng yì cǎi brilliant lights and vibrant colors
• 流离颠沛 liú lí diān pèi destitute and homeless ; displaced and without means
• 流离失所 liú lí shī suǒ destitute and homeless ; forced from one's home and wanderin
• 柳绿花红 liǔ lǜ huā hóng (lit.) green willows and red flowers
• 流年不利 liú nián bù lì the year's horoscope augurs ill ; an unlucky year
• 六亲不认 liù qīn bù rèn not recognizing one's family ; self-centered and not making
• 六亲无靠 liù qīn wú kào orphaned of all one's immediate relatives ; no one to rely o
• 六神无主 liù shén wú zhǔ out of one's wits
• 流星赶月 liú xīng gǎn yuè lit. a meteor catching up with the moon
• 溜须拍马 liū xū pāi mǎ to smooth whiskers and pat a horse's bottom ; to use flatter
• 流言蜚语 liú yán fēi yǔ rumors and slanders ; gossip
• 柳烟花雾 liǔ yān huā wù lit. willow scent and mist of blossom ; scene full of the de
• 龙飞凤舞 lóng fēi fèng wǔ flamboyant or bold cursive calligraphy
• 龙凤呈祥 lóng fèng chéng xiáng the dragon and phoenix are symbols of good fortune
• 龙马精神 lóng mǎ jīng shén old but still full of vitality
• 笼鸟槛猿 lóng niǎo jiàn yuán bird in a basket, monkey in a cage ; prisoner
• 隆情厚谊 lóng qíng hòu yì profound love, generous friendship
• 龙蛇混杂 lóng shé hùn zá lit. dragons and snakes mingle
• 龙生九子 lóng shēng jiǔ zǐ lit. the dragon has nine sons ; fig. all kinds of characters
• 龙潭虎穴 lóng tán hǔ xué (lit.) dragon's pool and tiger's den
• 龙腾虎跃 lóng téng hǔ yuè lit. dragon soaring and tiger leaping
• 龙头蛇尾 lóng tóu shé wěi lit. dragon's head, snake's tail ; fig. a strong start but w
• 龙骧虎步 lóng xiāng hǔ bù powerful and imposing demeanor
• 龙争虎斗 lóng zhēng hǔ dòu lit. the dragon wars, the tiger battles ; fierce battle betw
• 漏洞百出 lòu dòng bǎi chū (of an argument, theory etc) full of flaws
• 漏脯充饥 lòu fǔ chōng jī (lit.) to eat rotten meat to assuage hunger
• 漏网之鱼 lòu wǎng zhī yú (lit.) a fish that escaped the net
• 漏泄天机 lòu xiè tiān jī to divulge the will of heaven ; to leak a secret
• 屡败屡战 lǚ bài lǚ zhàn to keep on fighting despite continual setbacks
• 路不拾遗 lù bù shí yí lit. no one picks up lost articles in the street
• 绿惨红愁 lǜ cǎn hóng chóu (of women) grieved appearance
• 绿草如茵 lǜ cǎo rú yīn green grass like cushion ; green meadow so inviting to sleep
• 露出马脚 lù chū mǎ jiǎo to reveal the cloven foot ; to unmask one's true nature
• 驴唇马嘴 lǘ chún mǎ zuǐ (lit.) a donkey's lips do not match a horse's mouth
• 炉火纯青 lú huǒ chún qīng (lit.) the stove fire has turned bright green (allusion to D
• 屡见不鲜 lǚ jiàn bù xiān a common occurrence
• 屡禁不绝 lǚ jìn bù jué to continue despite repeated prohibition
• 屡禁不止 lǚ jìn bù zhǐ to continue despite repeated prohibition
• 戮力同心 lù lì tóng xīn to join forces to work towards a common goal
• 绿林好汉 lù lín hǎo hàn chivalrous hero, often one who combats injustice or fights f
• 绿女红男 lǜ nǚ hóng nán young people decked out in gorgeous clothes
• 屡劝不听 lǚ quàn bù tīng refusing to listen to advice or remonstrance; incorrigible
• 路人皆知 lù rén jiē zhī understood by everyone ; well known
• 绿树成荫 lǜ shù chéng yīn (of an area) to have trees with shade-giving foliage; (of a
• 鹿死谁手 lù sǐ shéi shǒu lit. at whose hand will the deer die
• 履舄交错 lǚ xì jiāo cuò lit. shoes and slippers muddled together ; fig. many guests
• 履险如夷 lǚ xiǎn rú yí lit. to make one's way through a dangerous pass as if walkin
• 屡战屡败 lǚ zhàn lǚ bài to suffer defeat in every battle
• 乱臣贼子 luàn chén zéi zǐ rebels and traitors
• 鸾飘凤泊 luán piāo fèng bó lit. firebird soars, phoenix alights
• 乱七八糟 luàn qī bā zāo chaotic; in disorder; muddled
• 鸾翔凤集 luán xiáng fèng jí lit. firebird and phoenix come together
• 略迹原情 lüè jì yuán qíng to overlook past faults ; to forgive and forget
• 略见一斑 lüè jiàn yī bān lit. to glimpse just one spot (of the leopard)
• 略知一二 lüè zhī yī èr to know just a little; to have a rough idea
• 论长道短 lùn cháng dào duǎn lit. to discuss sb's merits and demerits ; to gossip
• 论功行赏 lùn gōng xíng shǎng to assess merit and confer rewards
• 沦肌浃髓 lún jī jiā suǐ lit. penetrate to the marrow ; deeply affected
• 落草为寇 luò cǎo wéi kòu to take to the woods to become an outlaw
• 落井下石 luò jǐng xià shí to throw stones at sb who has fallen down a well
• 落落寡交 luò luò guǎ jiāo aloof and as a result friendless
• 罗雀掘鼠 luó què jué shǔ (lit.) to net sparrows and dig out rats
• 落入法网 luò rù fǎ wǎng to fall into the net of justice ; finally arrested
• 落拓不羁 luò tuò bù jī unconventional; uninhibited; free-spirited
• 洛阳纸贵 Luò yáng zhǐ guì lit. paper has become expensive in Luoyang (because everyone
• 落叶归根 luò yè guī gēn lit. a falling leaf returns to the roots
• 络绎不绝 luò yì bù jué continuously; in an endless stream

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