Chinese idioms starting with M

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

骂不绝口 mà bù jué kǒu to scold without end ; incessant abuse
马齿徒增 mǎ chǐ tú zēng (self-deprecating) to have grown old without accomplishing a
马到成功 mǎ dào chéng gōng to win instant success
马耳东风 mǎ ěr dōng fēng (lit.) the east wind blowing in a horse's ear
马革裹尸 mǎ gé guǒ shī to be buried in a horse hide
马工枚速 Mǎ gōng Méi sù Sima Xiangru is meticulous and Mei Gao is fast
马首是瞻 mǎ shǒu shì zhān to follow blindly
买椟还珠 mǎi dú huán zhū to buy a wooden box and return the pearls inside
卖官鬻爵 mài guān yù jué to grant government positions or official titles in exchange
埋头苦干 mái tóu kǔ gàn to bury oneself in work ; to be engrossed in work
买笑追欢 mǎi xiào zhuī huān lit. to buy smiles to seek happiness
满不在乎 mǎn bù zài hu not in the least concerned
满城风雨 mǎn chéng fēng yǔ lit. wind and rain sweeping through the town
满打满算 mǎn dǎ mǎn suàn taking everything into account
满腹经纶 mǎn fù jīng lún full of political wisdom
满腹牢骚 mǎn fù láo sāo lit. belly full of complaints
满坑满谷 mǎn kēng mǎn gǔ all over the place
满脸风尘 mǎn liǎn fēng chén lit. with a face full of dust
漫漫长夜 màn màn cháng yè endless night ; fig. long suffering
满面春风 mǎn miàn chūn fēng radiant with happiness; beaming
满目疮痍 mǎn mù chuāng yí a scene of devastation meets the eye everywhere one looks
漫山遍野 màn shān biàn yě lit. covering the mountains and the plains
瞒上欺下 mán shàng qī xià to deceive one's superiors and bully one's subordinates
漫天遍地 màn tiān biàn dì lit. to fill the whole sky and cover the land
瞒天过海 mán tiān guò hǎi to cross the sea by a trick
满载而归 mǎn zài ér guī to return from a rewarding journey
芒刺在背 máng cì zài bèi feeling brambles and thorns in one's back
忙里偷闲 máng lǐ tōu xián to snatch a moment of leisure in the midst of a busy schedul
茫然失措 máng rán shī cuò at a loss
忙中有错 máng zhōng yǒu cuò rushed work leads to errors
忙中有失 máng zhōng yǒu shī rushed work leads to errors
冒大不韪 mào dà bù wěi to face opprobrium
毛骨悚然 máo gǔ sǒng rán to have one's hair stand on end
貌合神离 mào hé shén lí the appearance of unity, but divided at heart ; seeming harm
猫哭耗子 māo kū hào zi the cat weeps for the dead mouse ; hypocritical pretence of
猫哭老鼠 māo kū lǎo shǔ the cat weeps for the dead mouse ; hypocritical pretence of
貌美如花 mào měi rú huā (of a woman) lovely as a flower
冒名顶替 mào míng dǐng tì to assume sb's name and take his place ; to impersonate
茅塞顿开 máo sè dùn kāi murky darkness suddenly opens ; a sudden flash of insight an
毛遂自荐 Máo Suì zì jiàn Mao Sui recommends himself ; to offer one's services (in the
美不胜收 měi bù shèng shōu nothing more beautiful can be imagined
没吃没穿 méi chī méi chuān to be without food or clothing
梅开二度 méi kāi èr dù to have sth happen a second time (esp. to remarry or to scor
眉开眼笑 méi kāi yǎn xiào brows raised in delight, eyes laughing ; beaming with joy
眉来眼去 méi lái yǎn qù to make eyes; to exchange flirting glances with sb
美轮美奂 měi lún měi huàn (of houses, scenery etc) magnificent
美其名曰 měi qí míng yuē to call by the glorified name of
每时每日 měi shí měi rì every day and every hour
没事找事 méi shì zhǎo shì to ask for trouble; to stir up trouble for no reason
媒妁之言 méi shuò zhī yán matchmaker's services (in establishing an arranged marriage)
没头没脸 méi tóu méi liǎn lit. without head, without face
美中不足 měi zhōng bù zú everything is fine except for one small defect ; the fly in
门当户对 mén dāng hù duì the families are well-matched in terms of social status
门可罗雀 mén kě luó què (lit.) you can net sparrows at the door
门庭若市 mén tíng ruò shì front yard as busy as a marketplace
扪心无愧 mén xīn wú kuì lit. look into one's heart, no shame ; with a clear conscien
蒙昧无知 méng mèi wú zhī benighted
梦寐以求 mèng mèi yǐ qiú (lit.) to yearn for sth even in one's dreams
懵懵懂懂 měng měng dǒng dǒng confused; ignorant; muddle-headed
盟山誓海 méng shān shì hǎi to pledge undying love ; oath of eternal love
蒙在鼓里 méng zài gǔ lǐ lit. kept inside a drum
密不可分 mì bù kě fēn inextricably linked
迷不知返 mí bù zhī fǎn to go astray and to not know how to get back on the right pa
迷离惝恍 mí lí chǎng huǎng blurred; confusing
靡靡之音 mǐ mǐ zhī yīn decadent music
弥天大谎 mí tiān dà huǎng a pack of lies
米已成炊 mǐ yǐ chéng chuī lit. the rice has already been cooked
面不改色 miàn bù gǎi sè not bat an eyelid
面恶心善 miàn è xīn shàn to have a mean-looking face but a heart of gold
面黄肌瘦 miàn huáng jī shòu (lit.) face yellow and body emaciated
绵里藏针 mián lǐ cáng zhēn lit. a needle concealed in silk floss
勉力而为 miǎn lì ér wéi to try one's best to do sth
面露不悦 miàn lù bù yuè to show unhappiness or displeasure
绵绵瓜瓞 mián mián guā dié (lit.) (of a melon vine) laden with melons of all sizes
面面俱到 miàn miàn jù dào take care of everything; handle everything
面面相觑 miàn miàn xiāng qù to look at each other in dismay
面目全非 miàn mù quán fēi nothing remains the same ; change beyond recognition
面目一新 miàn mù yī xīn complete change ; facelift
面如灰土 miàn rú huī tǔ ashen-faced
面如土色 miàn rú tǔ sè ashen-faced
面色如土 miàn sè rú tǔ ashen-faced
面授机宜 miàn shòu jī yí to brief sb in person on the line of action to pursue; to ad
勉为其难 miǎn wéi qí nán to tackle a difficult job
渺乎其微 miǎo hū qí wēi remote and insignificant
妙趣横生 miào qù héng shēng endlessly interesting
妙手回春 miào shǒu huí chūn (of a doctor) to effect a miracle cure
渺无人烟 miǎo wú rén yān remote and uninhabited ; deserted
妙语连珠 miào yǔ lián zhū sparkling with wit
妙语如珠 miào yǔ rú zhū sparkling with wit
灭此朝食 miè cǐ zhāo shí lit. not to have breakfast until the enemy is destroyed
灭顶之灾 miè dǐng zhī zāi catastrophic disaster; devastating calamity
灭绝人性 miè jué rén xìng to be devoid of all humanity; inhuman; bestial
民变峰起 mín biàn fēng qǐ seething discontent ; widespread popular grievances
民不聊生 mín bù liáo shēng the people have no way to make a living (from Records of the
民穷财尽 mín qióng cái jìn the people are impoverished, their means exhausted ; to driv
民生凋敝 mín shēng diāo bì the people's livelihood is reduced to destitution ; a time o
民怨鼎沸 mín yuàn dǐng fèi seething discontent ; popular grievances boil over
民怨沸腾 mín yuàn fèi téng seething discontent ; popular grievances boil over
民贼独夫 mín zéi dú fū tyrant and oppressor of the people ; traitorous dictator
民脂民膏 mín zhī mín gāo lit. the fat and wealth of the people ; the nation's hard-wo
明辨是非 míng biàn shì fēi to distinguish right and wrong
名不副实 míng bù fù shí the name does not reflect the reality ; more in name than in
名不符实 míng bù fú shí the name does not correspond to reality ; it doesn't live up
名不虚传 míng bù xū chuán to live up to one's famous name; its reputation is well dese
名草有主 míng cǎo yǒu zhǔ (humorous) (of a man) already taken (male counterpart of 名花有
明察暗访 míng chá àn fǎng open enquiries and secret search ; to investigate openly and
明窗净几 míng chuāng jìng jī lit. clear window and clean table ; fig. bright and clean (r
名垂青史 míng chuí qīng shǐ lit. reputation will go down in history ; fig. achievements
名从主人 míng cóng zhǔ rén to refer to sth by the name its owners use
名存实亡 míng cún shí wáng the name remains, but the reality is gone
酩酊大醉 mǐng dǐng dà zuì dead drunk; plastered; as drunk as a lord
名副其实 míng fù qí shí not just in name only, but also in reality
明岗暗哨 míng gǎng àn shào both covert and undercover (officers) keeping watch
命归黄泉 mìng guī Huáng quán lit. to return to the Yellow Springs 黄泉 (Huáng quán)
名花有主 míng huā yǒu zhǔ (of a woman) already taken
名缰利锁 míng jiāng lì suǒ the shackles of fame and fortune
鸣金收兵 míng jīn shōu bīng to beat the gong to recall troops ; to order a retreat
明镜高悬 míng jìng gāo xuán perspicacious and impartial in judgment
名利双收 míng lì shuāng shōu both fame and fortune
名落孙山 míng luò Sūn Shān lit. to fall behind Sun Shan 孙山 (Sūn Shān) (who came last in
名满天下 míng mǎn tiān xià famous throughout the land; renowned far and wide
名门望族 míng mén wàng zú offspring a famous family ; good breeding
名目繁多 míng mù fán duō names of many kinds ; items of every description
明日黄花 míng rì huáng huā lit. chrysanthemums after the Double Ninth Festival
明升暗降 míng shēng àn jiàng to kick sb upstairs
命途多舛 mìng tú duō chuǎn to meet with many difficulties in one's life
冥顽不灵 míng wán bù líng pigheaded
铭心刻骨 míng xīn kè gǔ lit. etched into one's heart and bones
铭心镂骨 míng xīn lòu gǔ engraved in one's heart and carved in one's bones ; to remem
名扬四海 míng yáng sì hǎi to become known far and wide
命在旦夕 mìng zài dàn xī to be at death's door
名噪一时 míng zào yī shí to achieve fame among one's contemporaries ; temporary or lo
明哲保身 míng zhé bǎo shēn a wise man looks after his own hide
明争暗斗 míng zhēng àn dòu to fight openly and maneuver covertly
明知故犯 míng zhī gù fàn deliberate violation ; intentional crime
明知故问 míng zhī gù wèn to ask a question, already knowing the answer
名重识暗 míng zhòng shí àn of great reputation but shallow in knowledge
命中注定 mìng zhōng zhù dìng decreed by fate
明珠暗投 míng zhū àn tóu to cast pearls before swine
谬种流传 miù zhǒng liú chuán to pass on errors or lies ; the propagation of misconception
抹不下脸 mǒ bù xià liǎn to be unable to keep a straight face
没齿难忘 mò chǐ nán wàng hard to forget even after one's teeth fall out ; to remember
磨杵成针 mó chǔ chéng zhēn to grind an iron bar down to a fine needle ; fig. to perseve
磨穿铁砚 mó chuān tiě yàn to grind one's way through an ink stone
磨刀霍霍 mó dāo huò huò (lit.) to sharpen one's sword
摩顶放踵 mó dǐng fàng zhǒng to rub one's head and heels ; to slave for the benefit of ot
摸金校尉 mō jīn xiào wèi military title said to have existed in the Han dynasty, alle
莫名其妙 mò míng qí miào baffling; bizarre; without rhyme or reason; inexplicable
默默无闻 mò mò wú wén unknown; unrenowned
摩拳擦掌 mó quán cā zhǎng fig. to rub one's fists and wipe one's palms
漠然置之 mò rán zhì zhī to set to one side and ignore ; quite indifferent
墨守成规 mò shǒu chéng guī hidebound by convention
莫衷一是 mò zhōng yī shì unable to reach a decision ; cannot agree on the right choic
磨嘴皮子 mó zuǐ pí zi to wear out the skin of one's teeth ; pointlessly blather
谋财害命 móu cái hài mìng to plot and kill sb for his property ; to murder for money
谋臣猛将 móu chén měng jiàng strategic experts and powerful generals
谋臣如雨 móu chén rú yǔ strategic experts as thick as rain ; no shortage of advisers
谋臣武将 móu chén wǔ jiàng strategic experts and powerful generals
目不见睫 mù bù jiàn jié lit. the eye cannot see the eyelashes ; fig. unable to see o
目不交睫 mù bù jiāo jié lit. the eyelashes do not come together
目不窥园 mù bù kuī yuán lit. not even peek at the garden
目不忍视 mù bù rěn shì (lit.) the eye cannot bear to see it
目不识丁 mù bù shí dīng lit. the eye cannot recognize the letter T ; totally illiter
目不暇给 mù bù xiá jǐ lit. the eye cannot take it all in
目不暇接 mù bù xiá jiē lit. too much for the eye to take in ; a feast for the eyes
目不斜视 mù bù xié shì not to glance sideways
目不转睛 mù bù zhuǎn jīng unable to take one's eyes off ; to gaze steadily
目不转瞬 mù bù zhuǎn shùn gazing fixedly
目瞪口呆 mù dèng kǒu dāi dumbstruck; stupefied; stunned
暮鼓晨钟 mù gǔ chén zhōng lit. evening drum, morning bell ; fig. Buddhist monastic pra
目光呆滞 mù guāng dāi zhì to have a lifeless look in one's eyes
沐猴而冠 mù hóu ér guàn lit. a monkey wearing a hat
目空四海 mù kōng sì hǎi the eye can see nothing worthwhile all around ; arrogant
目空一切 mù kōng yī qiè the eye can see nothing worthwhile all around ; arrogant
目迷五色 mù mí wǔ sè the eye is bewildered by five colors ; a dazzling riot of co
慕名而来 mù míng ér lái to come to a place on account of its reputation ; attracted
木讷寡言 mù nè guǎ yán honest and unaffected but not talkative
木人石心 mù rén shí xīn lit. body made of wood, heart made of stone
暮色苍茫 mù sè cāng máng the hazy dusk of twilight
目挑心招 mù tiǎo xīn zhāo the eye incites, the heart invites ; flirtatious
目无法纪 mù wú fǎ jì with no regard for law or discipline ; flouting the law and
目无全牛 mù wú quán niú to see the ox already cut up into joints ; extremely skilled
目眩神迷 mù xuàn shén mí to be dazzled and stunned
木已成舟 mù yǐ chéng zhōu lit. the timber has been turned into a boat already
沐雨栉风 mù yǔ zhì fēng to work unceasingly regardless of the weather
目怔口呆 mù zhēng kǒu dāi lit. eye startled, mouth struck dumb ; stunned
目中无人 mù zhōng wú rén to consider everyone else beneath one ; so arrogant that no-

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