Chinese idioms starting with X

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

喜不自禁 xǐ bù zì jīn unable to contain one's joy
喜不自胜 xǐ bù zì shèng unable to contain one's joy
喜出望外 xǐ chū wàng wài to be pleased beyond one's expectations
喜从天降 xǐ cóng tiān jiàng joy from heaven ; overjoyed at unexpected good news
细大不捐 xì dà bù juān not to discard anything, whether small or big
席地而坐 xí dì ér zuò to sit on the ground or the floor
喜极而泣 xǐ jí ér qì crying tears of joy
细嚼慢咽 xì jiáo màn yàn to eat slowly
喜结连理 xǐ jié lián lǐ to tie the knot
喜结良缘 xǐ jié liáng yuán to get happily married; to form an auspicious union
熙来攘往 xī lái rǎng wǎng a place buzzing with activity
喜怒哀乐 xǐ nù āi lè (lit.) happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy
细皮嫩肉 xì pí nèn ròu soft skin and tender flesh
稀奇古怪 xī qí gǔ guài crazy; bizarre; weird; fantastic; strange
喜气洋洋 xǐ qì yáng yáng full of joy ; jubilation
细声细气 xì shēng xì qì in a fine voice ; softly spoken
息事宁人 xī shì níng rén to keep the peace; to patch up a quarrel
悉听尊便 xī tīng zūn biàn do as you see fit
喜闻乐见 xǐ wén lè jiàn to love to hear and see
栖栖遑遑 xī xī huáng huáng restless; unsettled
熙熙攘攘 xī xī rǎng rǎng bustling with activity
息息相关 xī xī xiāng guān closely bound up ; intimately related
嬉笑怒骂 xī xiào nù mà lit. laughs, jeers, anger and invective
喜笑颜开 xǐ xiào yán kāi grinning from ear to ear
洗心革面 xǐ xīn gé miàn lit. to wash one's heart and renew one's face ; to repent si
喜新厌旧 xǐ xīn yàn jiù lit. to like the new, and hate the old ; fig. enamored with
喜形于色 xǐ xíng yú sè face light up with delight ; to beam with joy
夕阳西下 xī yáng xī xià the sun sets in the west
喜跃抃舞 xǐ yuè biàn wǔ to clap and dance in joy
西子捧心 Xī zǐ pěng xīn (lit.) Xishi clasps at her heart
虾兵蟹将 xiā bīng xiè jiàng shrimp soldiers and crab generals (in mythology or popular f
瑕不掩瑜 xiá bù yǎn yú lit. a blemish does not obscure jade's luster
遐迩一体 xiá ěr yī tǐ both near and distant treated alike
侠肝义胆 xiá gān yì dǎn chivalrous, righteous and courageous
狭路相逢 xiá lù xiāng féng lit. to meet face to face on a narrow path
先睹为快 xiān dǔ wéi kuài to consider it a pleasure to be among the first to read (or
显而易见 xiǎn ér yì jiàn clearly and easy to see ; obviously
先发制人 xiān fā zhì rén to gain the initiative by striking first; to preempt
闲话家常 xián huà jiā cháng to chat about domestic trivia
先来后到 xiān lái hòu dào in order of arrival; first come, first served
先礼后兵 xiān lǐ hòu bīng try persuasion before resorting to force
嫌贫爱富 xián pín ài fù to favor the rich and disdain the poor
先入为主 xiān rù wéi zhǔ the first impression is the strongest; to hold a preconceive
显山露水 xiǎn shān lù shuǐ to reveal one's talent
鲜为人知 xiǎn wéi rén zhī rarely known to anyone ; almost unknown
纤悉无遗 xiān xī wú yí detailed and nothing left out ; meticulous and comprehensive
险象环生 xiǎn xiàng huán shēng dangers spring up all around ; surrounded by perils
鲜血淋漓 xiān xuè lín lí drenched with blood; dripping with blood
现学现用 xiàn xué xiàn yòng to immediately put into practice something one has just lear
咸鱼翻身 xián yú fān shēn lit. the salted fish turns over
咸与维新 xián yù wéi xīn everyone participates in reforms
闲云野鹤 xián yún yě hè free spirit; person who leads a carefree, unfettered life
先斩后奏 xiān zhǎn hòu zòu (lit.) execute sb first, then report to the emperor
仙姿玉色 xiān zī yù sè heavenly beauty, jewel colors ; unusually beautiful lady
相安无事 xiāng ān wú shì to coexist peacefully; to get along without conflict
向壁虚构 xiàng bì xū gòu facing a wall, an imaginary construction ; baseless fabricat
向壁虚造 xiàng bì xū zào facing a wall, an imaginary construction ; baseless fabricat
相得益彰 xiāng dé yì zhāng to bring out the best in each other
想方设法 xiǎng fāng shè fǎ to think up every possible method ; to devise ways and means
相夫教子 xiàng fū jiào zǐ to assist one's husband and educate the children
相辅相成 xiāng fǔ xiāng chéng to complement one another
相机而动 xiàng jī ér dòng to wait for the opportune moment before taking action
相机而行 xiàng jī ér xíng to act according to the situation
相机行事 xiàng jī xíng shì to act as circumstances dictate
相见恨晚 xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn to regret not having met earlier ; It is nice to meet you fi
相敬如宾 xiāng jìng rú bīn to treat each other as an honored guest
降龙伏虎 xiáng lóng fú hǔ to vanquish dragons and tigers
相亲相爱 xiāng qīn xiāng ài (of siblings, spouses etc) very close to each other; insepar
想入非非 xiǎng rù fēi fēi to indulge in fantasy ; to let one's imagination run wild
相濡以沫 xiāng rú yǐ mò (lit.) (of fish) to moisten each other with spittle (when ou
相视而笑 xiāng shì ér xiào to look at each other and smile
相提并论 xiāng tí bìng lùn to discuss two disparate things together ; to mention on equ
相体裁衣 xiàng tǐ cái yī lit. tailor the clothes to fit the body ; fig. act according
香味扑鼻 xiāng wèi pū bí exotic odors assail the nostrils
香消玉殒 xiāng xiāo yù yǔn (of a beautiful woman) to die; to pass away
相形见绌 xiāng xíng jiàn chù to pale by comparison
相依为命 xiāng yī wéi mìng mutually dependent for life ; to rely upon one another for s
向隅而泣 xiàng yú ér qì to weep in solitude
笑不可仰 xiào bù kě yǎng to double up with laughter
小菜一碟 xiǎo cài yī dié a small appetizer
小惩大诫 xiǎo chéng dà jiè lit. to punish a little to prevent a lot ; to criticize form
消愁解闷 xiāo chóu jiě mèn lit. to eliminate worry and dispel melancholy ; diversion fr
小肚鸡肠 xiǎo dù jī cháng lit. small belly, chicken's gut ; narrow-minded
萧规曹随 Xiāo guī Cáo suí lit. Xiao's 萧何 (Xiāo Hé) governance followed by Cao 曹参 (Cáo
笑里藏刀 xiào lǐ cáng dāo lit. a dagger hidden in smiles ; friendly manners belying hy
笑脸相迎 xiào liǎn xiāng yíng to welcome sb with a smiling face
小鸟依人 xiǎo niǎo yī rén lit. like a little bird relying on people
小巧玲珑 xiǎo qiǎo líng lóng dainty; delicate; exquisite
小人得志 xiǎo rén dé zhì lit. a vile character flourishes
笑容可掬 xiào róng kě jū smiling wholeheartedly ; beaming from ear to ear
销声匿迹 xiāo shēng nì jì to vanish without trace
小试牛刀 xiǎo shì niú dāo to give a small demonstration of one's impressive skills
孝思不匮 xiào sī bù kuì to be forever filial
小题大做 xiǎo tí dà zuò to make a big fuss over a minor issue
小心谨慎 xiǎo xīn jǐn shèn cautious and timid ; prudent
小心翼翼 xiǎo xīn yì yì cautious; careful; prudent
硝烟滚滚 xiāo yān gǔn gǔn smoke billows from the raging battle
逍遥法外 xiāo yáo fǎ wài unfettered and beyond the law ; evading retribution
逍遥自得 xiāo yáo zì dé doing as one pleases ; foot-loose and fancy free
逍遥自在 xiāo yáo zì zai free and at leisure ; unfettered
晓以大义 xiǎo yǐ dà yì to persuade by appealing to principle; to reason with sb on
宵衣旰食 xiāo yī gàn shí to dress before light and not eat before dark
骁勇善战 xiāo yǒng shàn zhàn to be brave and good at fighting
嚣张气焰 xiāo zhāng qì yàn overweening attitude; threatening manner
笑逐颜开 xiào zhú yán kāi smile spread across the face ; beaming with pleasure
邪不敌正 xié bù dí zhèng good will always triumph over evil
携家带眷 xié jiā dài juàn to take all one's family along ; encumbered by a family
泄漏天机 xiè lòu tiān jī to divulge the will of heaven ; to leak a secret
泄露天机 xiè lù tiān jī to divulge the will of heaven ; to leak a secret
卸磨杀驴 xiè mò shā lǘ lit. to kill the donkey when the grinding is done
谢天谢地 xiè tiān xiè dì thank goodness
心安神闲 xīn ān shén xián with one's heart at ease and one's spirit at rest
新陈代谢 xīn chén dài xiè metabolism (biology)
新仇旧恨 xīn chóu jiù hèn old and new grudges; accumulated grievances
新愁旧恨 xīn chóu jiù hèn new worries added to old hatred ; afflicted by problems old
心慈手软 xīn cí shǒu ruǎn softhearted; merciful
心胆俱裂 xīn dǎn jù liè to be scared out of one's wits
心烦气躁 xīn fán qì zào agitated
心烦意乱 xīn fán yì luàn lit. heart distracted, thoughts in turmoil ; distraught with
心服口服 xīn fú kǒu fú to accept wholeheartedly; to embrace; to be won over
心腹之患 xīn fù zhī huàn lit. calamity within one's bosom ; major trouble hidden with
心广体胖 xīn guǎng tǐ pán big-hearted and serene ; contended and easygoing
心狠手辣 xīn hěn shǒu là vicious; merciless
心花怒放 xīn huā nù fàng to burst with joy
心怀忐忑 xīn huái tǎn tè anxious; uneasy; filled with trepidation
新婚燕尔 xīn hūn yàn ěr to experience the joy of being newly married
薪火相传 xīn huǒ xiāng chuán lit. the flame of a burning piece of firewood passes on to t
心急如焚 xīn jí rú fén burning with anxiety; extremely anxious or impatient
心惊胆战 xīn jīng dǎn zhàn lit. heart alarmed, trembling in fear ; prostrate with fear
心惊肉跳 xīn jīng ròu tiào lit. heart alarmed, body leaping ; fear and trepidation in t
心口不一 xīn kǒu bù yī heart and mouth at variance ; keeping one's real intentions
信口开河 xìn kǒu kāi hé to speak without thinking
心口如一 xīn kǒu rú yī lit. heart and mouth as one ; to say what you think
心宽体胖 xīn kuān tǐ pán big-hearted and serene ; contented and easygoing
心旷神怡 xīn kuàng shén yí lit. heart untroubled, spirit pleased ; carefree and relaxed
新来乍到 xīn lái zhà dào newly arrived
心力交瘁 xīn lì jiāo cuì to be both mentally and physically exhausted
心里有数 xīn lǐ yǒu shù to know the score
心领神会 xīn lǐng shén huì to understand tacitly
心乱如麻 xīn luàn rú má one's thoughts in a whirl ; confused
心满意足 xīn mǎn yì zú perfectly contented
心怦怦跳 xīn pēng pēng tiào The heart thumps wildly.
新瓶旧酒 xīn píng jiù jiǔ old wine in a new bottle
心平气和 xīn píng qì hé tranquil and even-tempered ; calmly and without stress
心如刀割 xīn rú dāo gē to feel as if having one's heart cut out
心如刀绞 xīn rú dāo jiǎo to feel a pain like a knife being twisted in one's heart
心神恍惚 xīn shén huǎng hū perturbed
心细如发 xīn xì rú fà meticulous; very careful or attentive
欣喜若狂 xīn xǐ ruò kuáng to be wild with joy
心想事成 xīn xiǎng shì chéng to have one's wishes come true; wish you the best!
信心百倍 xìn xīn bǎi bèi brimming with confidence
心心念念 xīn xīn niàn niàn to constantly think about; to be preoccupied with; to set on
欣欣向荣 xīn xīn xiàng róng flourishing
心心相印 xīn xīn xiāng yìn two hearts beat as one ; a kindred spirit
心胸狭窄 xīn xiōng xiá zhǎi narrow-minded; petty; ungenerous
心有余悸 xīn yǒu yú jì to have lingering fears
心猿意马 xīn yuán yì mǎ lit. heart like a frisky monkey, mind like a cantering horse
心悦诚服 xīn yuè chéng fú to submit cheerfully
心直口快 xīn zhí kǒu kuài frank and outspoken
心中有鬼 xīn zhōng yǒu guǐ to harbor ulterior motives
行不从径 xíng bù cóng jìng lit. not following the straight path ; fig. looking for a sh
行不顾言 xíng bù gù yán to say one thing and do another
行不由径 xíng bù yóu jìng lit. never taking a short-cut ; fig. upright and honest
形单影只 xíng dān yǐng zhī lonely soul; solitary
腥风血雨 xīng fēng xuè yǔ (lit.) foul wind and bloody rain
兴高采烈 xìng gāo cǎi liè happy and excited
形迹可疑 xíng jì kě yí suspicious-looking (in one's behavior or movements)
行将就木 xíng jiāng jiù mù to approach one's coffin ; with one foot in the grave
兴利除弊 xīng lì chú bì to promote what is useful and get rid of what is harmful
杏脸桃腮 xìng liǎn táo sāi (of a woman) having a fair complexion with rosy cheeks; beau
星流霆击 xīng liú tíng jī to move with lightning speed
星罗棋布 xīng luó qí bù scattered about like stars in the sky or chess pieces on a b
兴灭继绝 xīng miè jì jué lit. to restore the state and revive old families
行尸走肉 xíng shī zǒu ròu walking corpse
形同虚设 xíng tóng xū shè to exist in name only
惺惺相惜 xīng xīng xiāng xī (lit.) people of talent appreciate one another
星星之火 xīng xing zhī huǒ a single spark ; an insignificant cause can have a massive e
惺惺作态 xīng xīng zuò tài to put on an act
兴妖作怪 xīng yāo zuò guài lit. to summon demons to create havoc
形影相吊 xíng yǐng xiāng diào with only body and shadow to comfort each other
形影相随 xíng yǐng xiāng suí (lit.) body and shadow follow each other
行云流水 xíng yún liú shuǐ lit. moving clouds and flowing water
幸灾乐祸 xìng zāi lè huò to take pleasure in another's misfortune
兴致勃勃 xìng zhì bó bó to become exhilarated ; in high spirits
行之有效 xíng zhī yǒu xiào to be effective
兄弟阋墙 xiōng dì xì qiáng internecine strife ; fighting among oneself
凶多吉少 xiōng duō jí shǎo (lit.) everything bodes ill, no positive signs
胸怀坦荡 xiōng huái tǎn dàng open and candid ; not hiding anything
凶神恶煞 xiōng shén è shà fiends; devils; monsters
胸无城府 xiōng wú chéng fǔ open and candid ; not hiding anything
胸无大志 xiōng wú dà zhì to have no aspirations
胸无宿物 xiōng wú sù wù open and candid ; not hiding anything
凶相毕露 xiōng xiàng bì lù show one's ferocious appearance ; the atrocious features rev
雄心勃勃 xióng xīn bó bó aggressive and grand ; ambitious
胸有城府 xiōng yǒu chéng fǔ subtle way of thinking ; hard to fathom
胸有成略 xiōng yǒu chéng lüè the hero has plans already laid ; to have plans ready in adv
胸有成算 xiōng yǒu chéng suàn the hero has plans already laid ; to have plans ready in adv
胸有成竹 xiōng yǒu chéng zhú to have a well-thought-out plan in mind
羞愧难当 xiū kuì nán dāng to feel ashamed
休戚相关 xiū qī xiāng guān to share the same interests
秀色可餐 xiù sè kě cān a feast for the eyes
袖手旁观 xiù shǒu páng guān to watch with folded arms ; to look on without lifting a fin
秀外慧中 xiù wài huì zhōng good-looking and intelligent
修心养性 xiū xīn yǎng xìng to cultivate the heart and nurture the character ; to improv
羞于启齿 xiū yú qǐ chǐ to be too shy to speak one's mind
嘘寒问暖 xū hán wèn nuǎn to enquire solicitously about sb's well-being
虚怀若谷 xū huái ruò gǔ receptive as an echoing canyon ; modest and open-minded
虚己以听 xū jǐ yǐ tīng to listen to the ideas of others with an open mind
虚惊一场 xū jīng yī chǎng a false alarm; a scare that turns out to be nothing
虚席以待 xū xí yǐ dài to reserve a seat for sb
虚心好学 xū xīn hào xué modest and studious
栩栩如生 xǔ xǔ rú shēng vivid and lifelike ; true to life
虚有其表 xū yǒu qí biǎo looks impressive but is worthless
虚与委蛇 xū yǔ wēi yí to feign civility
虚张声势 xū zhāng shēng shì to bluff; to bluster; to make an empty show of strength
喧宾夺主 xuān bīn duó zhǔ lit. the voice of the guest overwhelms that of the host
悬而未决 xuán ér wèi jué pending a decision; hanging in the balance
绚丽多彩 xuàn lì duō cǎi bright and colorful; gorgeous; magnificent
悬梁刺股 xuán liáng cì gǔ to study assiduously and tirelessly
旋乾转坤 xuán qián zhuǎn kūn lit. overturning heaven and earth ; earth-shattering
悬崖勒马 xuán yá lè mǎ lit. to rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice
悬崖峭壁 xuán yá qiào bì sheer cliffs and precipitous rock faces
血本无归 xuè běn wú guī to lose everything one invested; to lose one's shirt
学富五车 xué fù wǔ chē of great erudition and scholarship
血光之灾 xuè guāng zhī zāi mortal danger; fatal disaster
学海泛舟 xué hǎi fàn zhōu sailing on the sea of learning
学海无涯 xué hǎi wú yá sea of learning, no horizon ; no limits to what one still ha
血口喷人 xuè kǒu pēn rén to spit blood ; venomous slander
血流成河 xuè liú chéng hé rivers of blood
血流漂杵 xuè liú piāo chǔ enough blood flowing to float pestles ; rivers of blood
血脉偾张 xuè mài fèn zhāng (lit.) blood vessels swell wide
雪泥鸿爪 xuě ní hóng zhǎo a goose's footprint in the snow
血盆大口 xuè pén dà kǒu bloody mouth wide open like a sacrificial bowl ; ferocious m
血气方刚 xuè qì fāng gāng full of sap ; young and vigorous
血气之勇 xuè qì zhī yǒng the courage born of stirred emotions
血肉横飞 xuè ròu héng fēi flesh and blood flying in all directions; carnage
血肉模糊 xuè ròu mó hu badly mangled or mutilated; gruesome
血肉相连 xuè ròu xiāng lián one's own flesh and blood ; closely related
雪上加霜 xuě shàng jiā shuāng to make matters even worse
学无止境 xué wú zhǐ jìng no end to learning ; There's always something new to study.
学以致用 xué yǐ zhì yòng to study sth in order to apply it
削职为民 xuē zhí wéi mín demotion to commoner
雪中送炭 xuě zhōng sòng tàn lit. to send charcoal in snowy weather
靴子落地 xuē zi luò dì (lit.) the boot hits the floor
削足适履 xuē zú shì lǚ to cut the feet to fit the shoes ; to force sth to fit (as t
寻根问底 xún gēn wèn dǐ lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base ; to get to th
询根问底 xún gēn wèn dǐ lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base ; to get to th
循规蹈矩 xún guī dǎo jǔ to follow the compass and go with the set square ; to follow
寻花问柳 xún huā wèn liǔ lit. to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery
寻欢作乐 xún huān zuò lè pleasure seeking ; life of dissipation
旬输月送 xún shū yuè sòng pay every ten days, give tribute every month ; incessant and
徇私枉法 xùn sī wǎng fǎ to bend the law in order to favor one's relatives or associa
徇私舞弊 xùn sī wǔ bì to abuse one's position for personal gain
熏陶成性 xūn táo chéng xìng nurture makes second nature
循序渐进 xún xù jiàn jìn in sequence, step by step ; to make steady progress incremen
循循善诱 xún xún shàn yòu to guide patiently and systematically

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