Category: News Vocabulary

挑刺儿 (tiāocìr) to find faults on purpose Usage: “挑刺儿”的字面意思是挑出扎在肉中的尖小的东西。在方言中引申义为故意找错儿，口语中还可以说“挑……的刺儿”。"挑刺儿" literally means taking out the sharp and small splinter in the flesh. In dialect, it is extended to mean finding faults or picking holes on purpose. People also say “挑……的刺儿” in spoken language.

过来人 (guò lái rén) an experienced person Usage: “过来人”指对于做某些事情有过经验、体会的一类人。"过来人" refers to a kind of people who had some experiences of doing something.

碰钉子 (pèng dīngzi) meet with a rebuff/a difficult position Usage:
“碰钉子”指自己的要求遭到了拒绝或受到斥责，也可以指遇到困难和挫折。在用法上，可以说“碰了钉子”、“碰了个（大）钉子”，书面语中也说“碰壁”。“碰钉子（pèng dīngzi）”means someone is denounced or his requests is rejected. It also refers to someone meets with a difficult status. We can say“碰了钉子pèngle dīngzi”、“碰了个（大）钉子pèngle gè dàdīngzi”.“碰壁（pèngbì）”is a more formal usage.

拍马屁  (pāi mǎpì) To kiss up to; to butter somebody up; to brown-nose Usage:

鸿门宴  (Hóngmén yàn)  Hongmen banquet (a feast or meeting set up as a trap for the invited)

饭桶 (fàntǒng) Rice bucket; an incapable person; nebbish Usage: “饭桶”的字面意义是装米饭的桶。常用来比喻无用的人或者只会吃饭而什么事也不会做、没有能力的人。“饭桶”literally means a rice bucket. It is a metaphor of an incapable person who cannot do anything.

臭美 (chòuměi) smug Usage: “臭美” 用来形容特别喜欢打扮的人。有时也用来讽刺某些人常常在别人面前夸耀、显示自己的漂亮能干或者自认为值得炫耀的东西。“臭美”describes a person who particularly likes to dress up. It is sometimes used to satirize a person who is smug about his or her good-looking or abilities or shows off their possessions.

铁哥们儿 (tiě gēmenr) close friends; faithful pals; buddy Usage: “铁哥们儿”的字面意义是关系像铁一样坚硬的兄弟，是指关系特别好的朋友，一般用来形容男性。“铁哥们儿”literally means the relation between brothers is as hard as iron. It refers to close friends, usually male friends.