More and More and More Idioms...
- Owen Nash
- Jan 26
- 4 min read
1. What does "No gall, no glory" mean?
a) Glory is achieved without risk.
b) Success requires bravery and effort.
c) Only brave people make mistakes.
d) Being cautious always leads to success.
Correct Answer: b) Success requires bravery and effort.
Meaning:
English: Achieving success often requires taking risks or being courageous.
Traditional Chinese: 沒有勇氣就沒有榮耀。
Simplified Chinese: 没有勇气就没有荣耀。
Examples:
He decided to take on the challenge because no gall, no glory.
She knew she had to face her fears; after all, no gall, no glory.
2. What does "Leave no stone unturned" mean?
a) Make every possible effort to achieve something.
b) Avoid unnecessary effort.
c) Search only in the obvious places.
d) Focus on one solution at a time.
Correct Answer: a) Make every possible effort to achieve something.
Meaning:
English: To do everything possible to achieve a goal or solve a problem.
Traditional Chinese: 全力以赴，無所不找。
Simplified Chinese: 全力以赴，无所不找。
Examples:
The detectives promised to leave no stone unturned in finding the missing child.
He left no stone unturned in his job search.
3. What does "No moss, no grow" mean?
a) Staying active prevents stagnation.
b) Moss grows where there’s progress.
c) Growth comes from staying still.
d) Avoid change for personal growth.
Correct Answer: a) Staying active prevents stagnation.
Meaning:
English: People who keep moving and adapting often experience growth and avoid complacency.
Traditional Chinese: 保持活動才能避免停滯。
Simplified Chinese: 保持活动才能避免停滞。
Examples:
His motto was “no moss, no grow,” so he always sought new opportunities.
She moved to a new city, believing in the idea of “no moss, no grow.”
4. What does "No pain, no gain" mean?
a) Hard work and effort are necessary for success.
b) Avoid discomfort to achieve success.
c) Pain should always be avoided.
d) Gain comes without any effort.
Correct Answer: a) Hard work and effort are necessary for success.
Meaning:
English: Achieving success often requires effort, struggle, or sacrifice.
Traditional Chinese: 沒有付出就沒有收穫。
Simplified Chinese: 没有付出就没有收获。
Examples:
Training for the marathon was tough, but no pain, no gain.
She studied hard for her exams because she believed in “no pain, no gain.”
5. What does "Let's call a spade a spade" mean?
a) Speak honestly and directly.
b) Avoid addressing the truth.
c) Call something by a different name.
d) Speak only in metaphors.
Correct Answer: a) Speak honestly and directly.
Meaning:
English: To address things as they are without sugarcoating.
Traditional Chinese: 實話實說，直言不諱。
Simplified Chinese: 实话实说，直言不讳。
Examples:
Let’s call a spade a spade: the project was a failure.
She prefers to call a spade a spade rather than sugarcoat the facts.
6. What does "Live to fight another day" mean?
a) Retreat now to try again later.
b) Always fight in the moment.
c) Give up completely.
d) Fight once and never again.
Correct Answer: a) Retreat now to try again later.
Meaning:
English: Sometimes it’s better to step back and try again later instead of risking everything.
Traditional Chinese: 留得青山在，不怕沒柴燒。
Simplified Chinese: 留得青山在，不怕没柴烧。
Examples:
He chose to live to fight another day rather than arguing endlessly.
The company decided to postpone the launch and live to fight another day.
7. What does "More haste, less speed" mean?
a) Rushing often leads to mistakes and delays.
b) Speed is the key to success.
c) Haste always brings progress.
d) Work quickly to avoid problems.
Correct Answer: a) Rushing often leads to mistakes and delays.
Meaning:
English: Working too quickly can cause errors and make progress slower overall.
Traditional Chinese: 欲速則不達。
Simplified Chinese: 欲速则不达。
Examples:
Remember, more haste, less speed, so double-check your work.
She learned the hard way that more haste, less speed applies to cooking too.
8. What does "Pride comes before a fall" mean?
a) Overconfidence often leads to failure.
b) Pride always ensures success.
c) Being proud protects from mistakes.
d) Confidence and pride lead to greatness.
Correct Answer: a) Overconfidence often leads to failure.
Meaning:
English: Being overly proud or arrogant can lead to mistakes or downfall.
Traditional Chinese: 驕傲使人落後。
Simplified Chinese: 骄傲使人落后。
Examples:
His refusal to listen to advice proved that pride comes before a fall.
They ignored the warning, forgetting that pride comes before a fall.
9. What does "Imperfection is beauty" mean?
a) Flaws make things unique and beautiful.
b) Perfection is the only beauty.
c) Beauty comes only from being flawless.
d) Imperfection is always a disadvantage.
Correct Answer: a) Flaws make things unique and beautiful.
Meaning:
English: Imperfections give something character and charm.
Traditional Chinese: 不完美才是美。
Simplified Chinese: 不完美才是美。
Examples:
She loved the handmade vase because imperfection is beauty.
His unique personality reminded everyone that imperfection is beauty.
10. What does "Be a voice, not an echo" mean?
a) Think and act independently.
b) Always copy what others say.
c) Listen without forming your own opinions.
d) Repeat the ideas of others.
Correct Answer: a) Think and act independently.
Meaning:
English: Encourage originality and avoid blindly following others.
Traditional Chinese: 做一個獨立的聲音，而不是別人的回音。
Simplified Chinese: 做一个独立的声音，而不是别人的回音。
Examples:
The teacher encouraged her students to be a voice, not an echo.
He reminded himself to be a voice, not an echo in the meeting.
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