Chinese idioms starting with T

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

踏破门槛 tā pò mén kǎn to wear out the doorstep
踏破铁鞋 tà pò tiě xié (lit.) to wear out one's iron shoes
踏青赏春 tà qīng shǎng chūn to enjoy a beautiful spring walk
踏青赏花 tà qīng shǎng huā to enjoy the flowers on a spring outing
汰旧换新 tài jiù huàn xīn out with the old and in with the new
太平盛世 tài píng shèng shì peace and prosperity
泰然处之 tài rán chǔ zhī to handle the situation calmly
泰然自若 tài rán zì ruò cool and collected ; showing no sign of nerves
泰山北斗 Tài shān Běi dǒu (lit.) Mount Tai and the Big Dipper
贪得无厌 tān dé wú yàn avaricious and insatiable ; greedy and never satisfied
谈古论今 tán gǔ lùn jīn to talk of the past and discuss the present
贪官污吏 tān guān wū lì grasping officials, corrupt mandarins ; abuse and corruption
弹冠相庆 tán guān xiāng qìng lit. to flick dust off sb's cap ; to celebrate an official a
谈何容易 tán hé róng yì easier said than done
谈虎色变 tán hǔ sè biàn (lit.) to turn pale at the mention of a tiger
昙花一现 tán huā yī xiàn lit. the night-blooming cactus shows once
贪贿无艺 tān huì wú yì greed for bribes knows no bounds ; unbridled corruption
谈婚论嫁 tán hūn lùn jià (of a couple) to discuss getting married
贪婪无厌 tān lán wú yàn avaricious and insatiable ; greedy and never satisfied
探囊取物 tàn náng qǔ wù to feel in one's pocket and take sth ; as easy as pie
谈情说爱 tán qíng shuō ài to murmur endearments
贪求无厌 tān qiú wú yàn insatiably greedy
贪生怕死 tān shēng pà sǐ greedy for life, afraid of death ; craven and cowardly
忐忑不安 tǎn tè bù ān anxious; in turmoil
贪天之功 tān tiān zhī gōng to claim credit for other people's achievements
探头探脑 tàn tóu tàn nǎo to stick one's head out and look around
叹为观止 tàn wéi guān zhǐ to gasp in amazement
贪猥无厌 tān wěi wú yàn avaricious and insatiable ; greedy and never satisfied
贪污腐化 tān wū fǔ huà corruption
贪小失大 tān xiǎo shī dà penny wise and pound foolish
贪心不足 tān xīn bù zú avaricious and insatiable ; greedy and never satisfied
贪赃枉法 tān zāng wǎng fǎ corruption and abuse of the law ; to take bribes and bend th
弹指之间 tán zhǐ zhī jiān in a flash; instantly
螳臂当车 táng bì dāng chē (lit.) a mantis trying to stop a chariot
韬光养晦 tāo guāng yǎng huì to conceal one's strengths and bide one's time
逃过一劫 táo guò yī jié to survive a calamity
讨好卖乖 tǎo hǎo mài guāi to curry favor by showing obeisance
桃腮粉脸 táo sāi fěn liǎn rosy-cheeked
滔滔不绝 tāo tāo bù jué to produce a torrent of words; to talk on and on
饕餮大餐 tāo tiè dà cān great meal fit for dragon's son ; sumptuous banquet
桃园结义 táo yuán jié yì to make a pact of brotherhood (from “Romance of the Three Ki
逃之夭夭 táo zhī yāo yāo to escape without trace ; to make one's getaway (from the sc
腾空而起 téng kōng ér qǐ to rise into the air
体大思精 tǐ dà sī jīng extensive and penetrating ; expansive and profound (of writi
提纲挈领 tí gāng qiè lǐng to concentrate on the main points ; to bring out the essenti
醍醐灌顶 tí hú guàn dǐng lit. to anoint your head with the purest cream ; fig. to enl
啼饥号寒 tí jī háo hán to cry from hunger and cold; to suffer extreme poverty
涕泪交加 tì lèi jiāo jiā weeping uncontrollably
涕泪交流 tì lèi jiāo liú tears and mucus flowing profusely ; weeping tragically
提神醒脑 tí shén xǐng nǎo to refresh and clear the mind
替天行道 tì tiān xíng dào to enforce justice on behalf of Heaven
体贴入微 tǐ tiē rù wēi to show every possible consideration ; meticulous care
体无完肤 tǐ wú wán fū lit. cuts and bruises all over ; fig. totally refuted
啼笑皆非 tí xiào jiē fēi lit. not to know whether to laugh or cry
提心吊胆 tí xīn diào dǎn nervous; fearful; on edge
体恤入微 tǐ xù rù wēi to emphasize down to last detail ; to show every possible co
天崩地裂 tiān bēng dì liè heaven falls and earth rends ; rocked by a major disaster
天兵天将 tiān bīng tiān jiàng celestial troops and generals
天差地别 tiān chā dì bié poles apart; as different as can be
天差地远 tiān chā dì yuǎn poles apart
天长地久 tiān cháng dì jiǔ enduring while the world lasts
天长日久 tiān cháng rì jiǔ after a long time
天道酬勤 tiān dào chóu qín Heaven rewards the diligent.
天地悬隔 tiān dì xuán gé lit. a gulf between heaven and earth
天妒英才 tiān dù yīng cái heaven is jealous of heroic genius ; the great have great ha
天翻地覆 tiān fān dì fù sky and the earth turning upside down ; fig. complete confus
天府之国 tiān fǔ zhī guó land of plenty (usu. used in reference to Sichuan)
天公地道 tiān gōng dì dào absolutely fair and reasonable ; equitable
天公作美 tiān gōng zuò měi Heaven is cooperating
天寒地冻 tiān hán dì dòng bitterly cold; frigid
天花乱坠 tiān huā luàn zhuì (lit.) a deluge of heavenly flowers
天荒地老 tiān huāng dì lǎo until the end of time
田忌赛马 Tián Jì sài mǎ Tian Ji races his horses (and accepts one loss in order to e
田间地头 tián jiān dì tóu farms and fields; the grassroots level of agricultural work
天经地义 tiān jīng dì yì lit. heaven's law and earth's principle ; fig. right and pro
天理难容 tiān lǐ nán róng Heaven cannot tolerate this
天罗地网 tiān luó dì wǎng inescapable net
天马行空 tiān mǎ xíng kōng like a heavenly steed, soaring across the skies
天南地北 tiān nán dì běi far apart
天壤之别 tiān rǎng zhī bié (lit.) the difference between heaven and earth
天生丽质 tiān shēng lì zhì to be naturally beautiful; to be born beautiful
天文数字 tiān wén shù zì astronomical figure
天下太平 tiān xià tài píng the whole world at peace ; peace and prosperity
天香国色 tiān xiāng guó sè divine fragrance, national grace ; an outstanding beauty
天旋地转 tiān xuán dì zhuàn the sky spins, the earth goes round ; giddy with one's head
甜言蜜语 tián yán mì yǔ sweet words
天衣无缝 tiān yī wú fèng lit. seamless heavenly clothes
添油加醋 tiān yóu jiā cù (lit.) to add oil and vinegar
天雨路滑 tiān yù lù huá roads are slippery due to rain
天灾人祸 tiān zāi rén huò natural calamities and man-made disasters
天造地设 tiān zào dì shè lit. made by Heaven and arranged by Earth
天真烂漫 tiān zhēn làn màn innocent and unaffected
添砖加瓦 tiān zhuān jiā wǎ lit. contribute bricks and tiles for a building
天作之合 tiān zuò zhī hé a match made in heaven
挑拨离间 tiǎo bō lí jiàn to sow dissension ; to drive a wedge between
挑拨是非 tiǎo bō shì fēi to incite a quarrel ; to sow discord between people
跳出火坑 tiào chū huǒ kēng lit. to jump out of a fire pit ; to escape from a living hel
挑灯夜战 tiǎo dēng yè zhàn to raise a lantern and fight at night ; fig. to work into th
挑肥拣瘦 tiāo féi jiǎn shòu to cherry-pick; to pick the best parts for oneself; to be ch
条分缕析 tiáo fēn lǚ xī to analyze thoroughly, point by point
跳梁小丑 tiào liáng xiǎo chǒu clownish troublemaker; contemptible buffoon
调三窝四 tiáo sān wō sì to sow the seeds of discord everywhere
条条框框 tiáo tiáo kuàng kuàng fixed framework ; restriction of social conventions and tabo
调嘴学舌 tiáo zuǐ xué shé to incite trouble between people
铁齿铜牙 tiě chǐ tóng yá clever and eloquent speaker
铁骨铮铮 tiě gǔ zhēng zhēng (of character) staunch; unyielding
铁面无私 tiě miàn wú sī strictly impartial and incorruptible
铁树开花 tiě shù kāi huā lit. the iron tree blooms
听而不闻 tīng ér bù wén to hear but not react ; to turn a deaf ear
铤而走险 tǐng ér zǒu xiǎn to take a risk out of desperation
听天安命 tīng tiān ān mìng to accept one's situation as dictated by heaven
听天由命 tīng tiān yóu mìng to submit to the will of heaven; to resign oneself to fate;
亭亭玉立 tíng tíng yù lì (of a woman) slender and elegant
停滞不前 tíng zhì bù qián stuck and not moving forward ; stagnant
听之任之 tīng zhī rèn zhī to take a laissez-faire attitude; to turn a blind eye (towar
同病相怜 tóng bìng xiāng lián fellow sufferers empathize with each other ; misery loves co
同仇敌忾 tóng chóu dí kài anger against a common enemy ; joined in opposition to the s
同床异梦 tóng chuáng yì mèng lit. to share the same bed with different dreams ; ostensibl
痛定思痛 tòng dìng sī tòng to think of the pain when the pain is gone
同符合契 tóng fú hé qì same sign, joint aim ; fig. completely compatible
痛改前非 tòng gǎi qián fēi completely correcting one's former misdeeds ; to repent past
同甘共苦 tóng gān gòng kǔ shared delights and common hardships ; to share life's joys
同流合污 tóng liú hé wū to wallow in the mire with sb ; to follow the bad example of
铜墙铁壁 tóng qiáng tiě bì copper wall, iron bastion ; impenetrable defense
通情达理 tōng qíng dá lǐ fair and reasonable; sensible; standing to reason
同日而语 tóng rì ér yǔ lit. to speak of two things on the same day ; to mention thi
同声一哭 tóng shēng yī kū to share one's feeling of grief with others
同室操戈 tóng shì cāo gē wielding the halberd within the household ; internecine stri
童叟无欺 tóng sǒu wú qī cheating neither old nor young ; treating youngsters and old
通天彻地 tōng tiān chè dì to know all under heaven
通宵达旦 tōng xiāo dá dàn overnight until daybreak ; all night long
痛心疾首 tòng xīn jí shǒu bitter and hateful
同心同德 tóng xīn tóng dé of one mind
童心未泯 tóng xīn wèi mǐn still a child at heart; to retain a playful spirit
同心协力 tóng xīn xié lì to work with a common purpose ; to make concerted efforts
童言无忌 tóng yán wú jì children's words carry no harm
同舟共济 tóng zhōu gòng jì cross a river in the same boat ; fig. having common interest
投笔从戎 tóu bǐ cóng róng to lay down the pen and take up the sword
投鞭断流 tóu biān duàn liú arms enough to stem the stream ; formidable army
偷工减料 tōu gōng jiǎn liào to skimp on the job and stint on materials
投缳自缢 tóu huán zì yì to hang oneself
头昏目眩 tóu hūn mù xuàn dazed
头昏脑胀 tóu hūn nǎo zhàng to feel giddy; to feel dizzy; one's head spins
头昏眼暗 tóu hūn yǎn àn head spinning and eyes dark ; dizzy
头昏眼花 tóu hūn yǎn huā to faint with blurred vision ; dizzy and eyes dimmed
偷鸡摸狗 tōu jī mō gǒu to imitate the dog and steal chicken
头角峥嵘 tóu jiǎo zhēng róng promise of brilliant young person ; showing extraordinary gi
偷梁换柱 tōu liáng huàn zhù lit. to steal a rafter and replace it with a column
投袂而起 tóu mèi ér qǐ lit. to shake one's sleeves and rise
投石问路 tóu shí wèn lù lit. to toss a stone to find out what's ahead
投鼠忌器 tóu shǔ jì qì lit. to refrain from shooting at the rat for fear of breakin
投桃报李 tóu táo bào lǐ toss a peach, get back a plum ; to return a favor
偷天换日 tōu tiān huàn rì to engage in fraudulent activities
头痛欲裂 tóu tòng yù liè to have a splitting headache
偷偷摸摸 tōu tōu mō mō surreptitious; sneaky
偷香窃玉 tōu xiāng qiè yù lit. stolen scent, pilfered jade ; philandering
头晕目眩 tóu yūn mù xuàn to have a dizzy spell; dazzled
头晕眼花 tóu yūn yǎn huā to faint with blurred vision ; dizzy and eyes dimmed
荼毒生灵 tú dú shēng líng to torment the people
突发奇想 tū fā qí xiǎng suddenly have a thought
土豪劣绅 tǔ háo liè shēn local bosses, shady gentry ; dominant local mafia
徒呼负负 tú hū fù fù to feel powerless and full of shame
土阶茅茨 tǔ jiē máo cí lit. earthen steps and a thatched hut
土阶茅屋 tǔ jiē máo wū lit. earthen steps and a small cottage
徒劳无功 tú láo wú gōng to work to no avail
徒劳无益 tú láo wú yì futile endeavor
土木形骸 tǔ mù xíng hái earth and wood framework ; plain and undecorated body
土牛木马 tǔ niú mù mǎ clay ox, wooden horse ; shape without substance
图穷匕见 tú qióng bǐ xiàn (lit.) the assassin's dagger, concealed in a map scroll, is
土生土长 tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng (of people) born and raised in the locality; (of art forms,
兔死狗烹 tù sǐ gǒu pēng (lit.) when the rabbit is dead, the hunting dogs are cooked
兔死狐悲 tù sǐ hú bēi lit. if the rabbit dies, the fox grieves ; fig. to have symp
吐丝自缚 tǔ sī zì fù to spin a cocoon around oneself ; enmeshed in a trap of one'
土洋结合 tǔ yáng jié hé combining native and foreign methods ; sophisticated and man
徒有其名 tú yǒu qí míng with an undeserved reputation ; unwarranted fame
徒有虚名 tú yǒu xū míng with an undeserved reputation ; unwarranted fame
涂脂抹粉 tú zhī mǒ fěn to put on makeup
徒子徒孙 tú zǐ tú sūn disciples; followers
推杯换盏 tuī bēi huàn zhǎn to drink together in a convivial atmosphere
退避三舍 tuì bì sān shè (lit.) to retreat ninety li
推波助澜 tuī bō zhù lán to push the wave and add to the billows ; to add momentum
推陈布新 tuī chén bù xīn to push out the old and bring in the new ; to innovate
推陈出新 tuī chén chū xīn to push out the old and bring in the new ; to innovate
蜕化变质 tuì huà biàn zhì to degenerate (morally); to become depraved
推来推去 tuī lái tuī qù to rudely push and pull others
推贤让能 tuī xián ràng néng to cede to the virtuous and yield to the talented
推心置腹 tuī xīn zhì fù to give one's bare heart into sb else's keeping ; sb has one
吞吞吐吐 tūn tūn tǔ tǔ to hum and haw ; to mumble as if hiding sth
吞云吐雾 tūn yún tǔ wù to swallow clouds and blow out fog
拖家带口 tuō jiā dài kǒu to take one's whole family along; to have a family in tow; t
脱缰之马 tuō jiāng zhī mǎ lit. a horse that has thrown off the reins ; runaway horse
脱口而出 tuō kǒu ér chū to blurt out; to let slip (an indiscreet remark)
唾面自干 tuò miàn zì gān to be spat on in the face and let it dry by itself, not wipi
拖泥带水 tuō ní dài shuǐ muddy and wet
脱贫致富 tuō pín zhì fù to rise from poverty and become prosperous
脱胎换骨 tuō tāi huàn gǔ to shed one's mortal body and exchange one's bones ; born ag
脱颖而出 tuō yǐng ér chū to reveal one's talent
托足无门 tuō zú wú mén to be unable to find a place to stay

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