远交近攻:
Meaning: Make alliances with distant states and attack nearby ones.
Explanation: A strategic approach in diplomacy and conflict, this idiom emphasises the benefits of allying with distant powers while focusing on local conquests.

迎刃而解:
Meaning: Solve a problem easily once the main point is addressed.
Explanation: Literally "to resolve upon encountering the edge of a blade," it means that once the crucial issue is tackled, the rest falls into place.

雪中送炭:
Meaning: Providing timely help or support.
Explanation: Literally "sending charcoal in the snow," it signifies giving help when it is most needed and appreciated.

幸灾乐祸:
Meaning: Rejoicing at another's misfortune.
Explanation: This idiom describes the schadenfreude of taking pleasure in someone else's troubles or failures.

相见恨晚:
Meaning: Regret of not meeting someone earlier.
Explanation: Literally "hate to meet so late," it expresses the sentiment of wishing one had met someone much earlier in life.

万紫千红:
Meaning: A scene full of vibrant colours.
Explanation: Describes the beauty of spring with thousands of purples and hundreds of reds, symbolising a multitude of beautiful things.

天长地久:
Meaning: Everlasting and enduring.
Explanation: Literally "as long as heaven and earth," it signifies something that will last forever, often used to describe eternal love or friendship.

千钧一发:
Meaning: A situation of extreme danger or a critical moment.
Explanation: Describes the precariousness of a thousand units of weight hanging by a single hair, highlighting a situation where disaster is imminent.

青出于蓝:
Meaning: The student surpasses the master.
Explanation: Meaning "blue comes from indigo," it suggests that new generations often exceed the achievements of their predecessors.

口若悬河:
Meaning: Speaking eloquently and at length.
Explanation: This idiom likens fluent and continuous speech to a running river, emphasising eloquence and verbosity.

金玉良言:
Meaning: Valuable and wise advice.
Explanation: Literally "gold and jade good words," it highlights the preciousness of good advice or wise counsel.

鸡飞狗跳:
Meaning: A chaotic or turbulent situation.
Explanation: Describing a scene where chickens are flying and dogs are jumping, this idiom vividly illustrates disorder and commotion.

花好月圆:
Meaning: Time of happiness and harmony.
Explanation: Often used to wish for marital bliss, this idiom describes an idyllic scene where flowers are in bloom and the moon is full, symbolizing perfection and joy.

画蛇添足:
Meaning: Ruining something by adding unnecessary details.
Explanation: The idiom comes from a story where someone added feet to a drawing of a snake, making it absurd. It warns against overcomplicating things.

对牛弹琴:
Meaning: Talking to someone who doesn't understand or appreciate what's being said.
Explanation: Literally "playing the lute to a cow," it emphasises the futility of explaining sophisticated matters to someone incapable of understanding them.

胆小如鼠 :
Meaning: Extremely cowardly or fearful.
Explanation: Likening someone's fearfulness to that of a mouse, this idiom highlights timidity and lack of courage.

龙飞凤舞:
Meaning: Dynamic and lively, often describing energetic calligraphy.
Explanation: This idiom paints a picture of a dragon flying and a phoenix dancing, symbolising movement and vitality, especially in artistic expression.

劳燕分飞:
Meaning: A couple or close friends parting ways.
Explanation: This idiom likens the separation of two close individuals to the migratory swallows that fly apart, indicating sorrowful departure.

凤毛麟角:
Meaning: Extremely rare and precious.
Explanation: Refers to the mythical phoenix's feathers and the unicorn's horns, both considered rare and valuable. Used to describe something or someone very unique.

东山再起:
Meaning: Make a comeback after a period of decline or failure.
Explanation: This idiom comes from the story of Xie An, who, after retreating to Dongshan (Eastern Mountain), returned to prominence. It signifies resilience and resurgence.