CDK Idiom Lookup Quick

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: In ancient times, there was a monk named Fayan in a temple called Qingliang Temple. One day, Fayan asked everyone, "Who can remove the bell tied around the tiger's neck?" None of the monks could answer. After a long while, one monk replied, "The one who tied the bell can remove it."
"The bell must be untied by the one who tied it" is a metaphor for the idea that the person who caused a problem should also be the one to solve it.
During the Tang Dynasty, there was a man named Mian Bogao who was sent to the capital to present swans to the emperor as tribute. Halfway there, he saw that the swans' feathers were dirty, so he took them to the river to bathe. Unexpectedly, after letting them out of the cage, all the swans flew away. With no other choice, Mian Bogao picked up a swan feather and hurried to the capital. Before the emperor, he held up the feather and recited a poem, meaning, "Although I only bring you a single feather, the sentiments I carry from traveling thousands of miles are deeply profound!"
"The feather sent over a thousand miles" originally refers to bringing a very light gift from a distant place. It is a metaphor for when the gift is light but the sentiments are heavy.
Xiang Yu and Liu Bang fought fiercely for control of the world. Liu Bang, following the strategies of Zhang Liang and others, launched a large army to attack Xiang Yu, encircling his forces at Gaixia. At this time, Xiang Yu's army had dwindled, and their food supplies were nearly exhausted. One night, Xiang Yu heard the sound of Chu songs coming from the camps of the Han army all around. The songs were mournful and sorrowful, and Xiang Yu was greatly startled, believing that the entire land of Chu had been occupied by the Han army, hence the presence of many Chu people among the Han soldiers.
"The songs of Chu sung on all sides" is a metaphor for being in a dire situation and surrounded by enemies from all directions.