I don't know these English idioms...
- Owen Nash
- Jan 28
- 4 min read
1. What does "Slow but steady wins the race" mean?
a) Rushing leads to better results.
b) Consistent effort leads to success over time.
c) Winning requires speed, not consistency.
d) Slow progress always fails.
Correct Answer: b) Consistent effort leads to success over time.
Meaning:
English: Patience and steady progress lead to success.
Traditional Chinese: 穩步而慢行者勝出比賽。
Simplified Chinese: 稳步而慢行者胜出比赛。
Examples:
She studied every day, proving slow but steady wins the race.
He reached his goals step by step because slow but steady wins the race.
2. What does "Fortune favors the bold" mean?
a) Success comes to those who take risks.
b) Fortune comes to those who wait.
c) Being cautious always leads to success.
d) Avoid risks for a better outcome.
Correct Answer: a) Success comes to those who take risks.
Meaning:
English: Brave actions are often rewarded.
Traditional Chinese: 幸運偏愛勇敢的人。
Simplified Chinese: 幸运偏爱勇敢的人。
Examples:
He took a big chance, believing that fortune favors the bold.
She launched her startup because fortune favors the bold.
3. What does "And forever has no end" mean?
a) Forever refers to an endless amount of time.
b) Forever means a short period of time.
c) Forever ends eventually.
d) Time has nothing to do with forever.
Correct Answer: a) Forever refers to an endless amount of time.
Meaning:
English: Something described as “forever” lasts endlessly.
Traditional Chinese: 永遠是沒有盡頭的。
Simplified Chinese: 永远是没有尽头的。
Examples:
They promised to be friends because forever has no end.
She believed their love would last because forever has no end.
4. What does "If not us, who? If not now, when?" mean?
a) Taking responsibility and action is essential.
b) Responsibility can wait for others.
c) There’s always a better time to act.
d) Someone else will always step up.
Correct Answer: a) Taking responsibility and action is essential.
Meaning:
English: We should act now instead of waiting for someone else to take responsibility.
Traditional Chinese: 如果不是我們，那是誰？如果不是現在，那是什麼時候？
Simplified Chinese: 如果不是我们，那是谁？如果不是现在，那是什么时候？
Examples:
They decided to help because if not us, who? If not now, when?
The team acted quickly, remembering if not us, who? If not now, when?
5. What does "No trust, no friendship" mean?
a) Friendship relies on trust between people.
b) Trust is unrelated to friendships.
c) Friendships are built only on shared hobbies.
d) Trust often destroys friendships.
Correct Answer: a) Friendship relies on trust between people.
Meaning:
English: Trust is essential for building and maintaining friendships.
Traditional Chinese: 沒有信任就沒有友誼。
Simplified Chinese: 没有信任就没有友谊。
Examples:
She valued honesty because no trust, no friendship.
Their bond grew stronger, proving no trust, no friendship.
6. What does "Opportunity knocks but once" mean?
a) You should take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
b) Opportunities happen repeatedly.
c) Ignore opportunities; they’ll return later.
d) It’s better to wait for more opportunities.
Correct Answer: a) You should take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
Meaning:
English: Seize the chance when it comes, as it may not come again.
Traditional Chinese: 機會只敲一次門。
Simplified Chinese: 机会只敲一次门。
Examples:
He joined the program because opportunity knocks but once.
She didn’t hesitate, knowing opportunity knocks but once.
7. What does "Choose kindness and laugh often" mean?
a) Life is better when you are kind and find joy in laughter.
b) Laughter is unimportant in life.
c) Being kind often leads to unhappiness.
d) Kindness is overrated in relationships.
Correct Answer: a) Life is better when you are kind and find joy in laughter.
Meaning:
English: A life filled with kindness and laughter brings happiness.
Traditional Chinese: 選擇善良，經常笑吧。
Simplified Chinese: 选择善良，经常笑吧。
Examples:
She made friends easily because she chose kindness and laughed often.
His philosophy was to choose kindness and laugh often.
8. What does "There’s no time like the present" mean?
a) Act now instead of delaying.
b) The future is better for action.
c) Waiting is always the best approach.
d) Time doesn’t matter when making decisions.
Correct Answer: a) Act now instead of delaying.
Meaning:
English: The best time to take action is right now.
Traditional Chinese: 現在是最好的時機。
Simplified Chinese: 现在是最好的时机。
Examples:
She decided to call her parents because there’s no time like the present.
He quit procrastinating, realizing there’s no time like the present.
9. What does "Facts speak louder than words" mean?
a) Evidence is more convincing than mere statements.
b) Words are always more impactful than facts.
c) Facts don’t matter in arguments.
d) Only opinions matter, not facts.
Correct Answer: a) Evidence is more convincing than mere statements.
Meaning:
English: Actions and evidence are more powerful than just talking.
Traditional Chinese: 事實勝於雄辯。
Simplified Chinese: 事实胜于雄辩。
Examples:
They trusted her because facts speak louder than words.
The results proved the theory true because facts speak louder than words.
10. What does "Actions speak louder than words" mean?
a) What you do matters more than what you say.
b) Talking is always more impactful than actions.
c) Actions and words are equally important.
d) Words are more reliable than actions.
Correct Answer: a) What you do matters more than what you say.
Meaning:
English: Actions prove intentions more clearly than words.
Traditional Chinese: 行動勝於言語。
Simplified Chinese: 行动胜于言语。
Examples:
He kept his promise because actions speak louder than words.
They trusted her because her actions spoke louder than words.
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