英语成语小故事四则
英语成语小故事1：破釜沉舟
duringthelateyearsoftheqidynasty(221-206bc),xiangyuledarebellion.aftercrossingthezhangriver,xiangyuorderedhismentosinkalltheirboatsandbreaktheircookingpots.
heissuedeachsoldierthreedays'rations(给养)andwarnedthemthattherewasnowaytoretreat;theonlythingtheycoulddotosurvivewastoadvanceandfight.
afterminefiercebattles,theqinarmywasfinallydefeated.
thisidiomisusedtoindicateone'sfirmdeterminationtoachieveone'sgoalatanycost.
英语成语小故事2:骑虎难下
YanJianwastheregent(摄政王)ofthelastkingofNorthernZhou(557-581).
Hiswifeadvisedhim:"NorthernZhouisdying.Nowitisasifyouareridingonthebackofatiger.Itwillbedangeroustodismount(下马，下车).Youcandonothingbutcontinue."
YanJianthoughtthisquitereasonable.Later,hefoundedtheSuiDynasty,andunitedChinaoncemore.
Thisidomisusedasametaphormeaningthatoneisinadifficultsituationandcannothelpbutontinuetopursueone'ssourse.
英语成语小故事3:名落孙山
IntheSongDynasty(960-1279)therewasajokercalledSunShan.
Oneyearhewenttotaketheimperialexamination,andcamebottomofthelistofsuccessfulcandidates.Backinhishometown,oneofhisneighboursaskedhimwhethertheneighbour'ssonhadalsopassed.
SunShansaid,withasmile:"SunShanwasthelastonthelist,yoursoncameafterSunShan."
Later,peopleusedthisidiomtoindicatefailinginanexaminationorcompetition.
英语成语小故事4：黔驴技穷
InancienttimestherewerenodonkeysinGuizhouprovince.Somebodybroughtadonkeyfromsomewhereandtiedittoatreeatthefootofamountain.
Atigersawthedonkey,andthoughtthatitmustbeafearsome(可怕的)monster.Ithidebehindatreeandspiedonthedonkey.
Whenthedonkeybrayed(叫),thetigerwasfrightened,thinkingthatthedonkeywasabouttodevour(吞食，毁灭)it.Afterawhile,seeingthatthedonkeyhadnotmoved,thetigerapproacheditandteasedit.Thedonkeybecameangry,andkickedthetiger.
Thetigerthoughttoitself:"Itsthenallitiscapableof?"Itthenjumpedonthedonkeyandateit.
Thisidiomisusedtomeanthatonehasexhausetedone'sskills.
