The meaning of idiom is a kind of fixed phrase or phrase widely used in spoken and written language, usually from historical stories, fables, myths, legends, literary classics, and so on.
1. Drawing a snake to add feet: this idiom originated from "Strategies of the Warring States". It is used to describe doing superfluous things that are not only unhelpful but harmful. In the story, a man drew feet for a snake, and the snake could not crawl instead. It is a metaphor for not doing superfluous things, or it may backfire.
2. Frog in the Bottom of the Well: This idiom originates from Zhuangzi - External Objects. It is used to describe people with narrow insight and short-sightedness. The frog at the bottom of the well can only see the sky as big as the mouth of the well, which is a metaphor for the lack of vision and comprehensive understanding.
3. Chopping the grass without removing the roots: This idiom originates from Zuo Zhuan - The Fifth Year of Hidden Duke. It is used to describe that things are not done thoroughly and the fundamental problems are not solved. Just like cutting grass without removing the roots, grass will grow again. It is a metaphor for solving problems thoroughly, otherwise there will be endless troubles.
4. Shǒu zhūdài tù (守株待兔): This idiom originated from Zhuangzi Tianyun (庄子-天运). It is used to describe sticking to old experiences or methods without thinking of making progress. In the story, a farmer waited by a tree stump for a rabbit to run over by itself, but ended up not only failing to catch the rabbit, but also missing other opportunities. It is a metaphor for sticking to the old ways and not thinking of making progress.
The Role of Idioms:
1. Simple and Concise, Enriching Language Expression: Idioms are a highly condensed form of language expression, which usually expresses complex emotions, ideas or concepts in a short form.
Because idioms have far-reaching meanings, they are often able to convey rich connotations in just a few words, which makes people more comfortable in expressing themselves. For example, water falling from the stone expresses the meaning of things coming to light in concise language, avoiding lengthy descriptions.
2. Inheriting culture and reflecting social values: Idioms often carry rich historical and cultural information, and many of them originate from ancient texts, stories, fables and so on.
They not only convey the traditional culture of the Chinese nation, but also show the values of Chinese society. For example, self-improvement is derived from Tian Xing Jian (天行健), a phrase from the Zhou Yi (周易), which expresses the spiritual pursuit of continuous improvement and self-improvement.
3, auxiliary rhetoric, enhancement of literary and expressive power: idioms have the characteristics of vivid image, the proper use can enhance the rhetorical effect of language. Through the use of idioms, you can make the article more expressive, making the language more beautiful, precise and powerful. For example, rain or shine figuratively expresses the spirit of perseverance in the face of difficulties, which adds a lot of color to the article.