Category: News Vocabulary

祈 (qí)
Origin: 在甲骨文和金文中，“祈”多写作，即“旂”的异体字。“礻”是旗帜形，“单”或“斤”都是武器。后来假借为“祈求”的“祈”。On oracle bones and bronze inscriptions, “祈” was written as , a variant of “旂.” “礻” represented a flag, and “单” or “斤” were weapons. Later, this character was used to mean “to beg,” as in“祈求.”

把柄 (bǎbǐng) evidence that can be got hold of in lawsuits or arguments Usage: “把柄”本义是指器物上的把儿柄，引申为由于生活或者工作中犯的错误，被别人要挟或者揭露的凭证。"把柄(bǎbǐng)" originally means a handle. By extension, it refer to the mistake or fault that can be used against oneself.

窝囊废 (wōnangfèi) good-for-nothing Usage: “窝囊废”这个词是一个贬义词，用来讥讽胆小怕事、无能的人。 “窝囊废(wōnangfèi)” is a derogatory term used to satirize those who are overcautious and incapable.

死心 (sǐxīn) to give up the idea forever; drop the idea Usage: “死心”的字面意思是让心死亡，引申义为放弃希望。这个词是离合词，可以用“死了心”“死了这（那）条心”等结构。“死心”literally means let the heart die, and it extendedly means to give up one’s hope for good or to think no more of something. People also say “死了心” and “死了这（那）条心” etc.

眼力见儿 (yǎn li jiànr) the person who seems discerning or acts according to circumstances quickly

冷不丁 (lěngbudīng) unexpectedly Usage: “冷不丁”是方言，也说“冷不防”，指事情发生得很突然，说话人之前没有意识或者预料到。As a dialect, “冷不丁” means unexpectedly or suddenly. We also say “冷不防”.

风头 (fēngtóu) the trend of events or the publicity given to someone Usage: “风头”的本义是风刮的方向，比喻事情发展的方向或与个人有利害关系的情势，如“避风头”是指在出现不利情况时躲避；它还引申为在公开场合引人注意或显示自己比别人强，常用的词组有“出风头”、“抢风头”。“风头” originally means the direction the wind blows. It is a metaphor of the trend of events as affecting a person. The phrase “避风头(bì fēngtóu)” means to escape when something bad occurs. It extendedly means to show off in the publicity or to steal the show. The phrases “出风头(chū fēngtóu)” and “抢风头(qiǎng fēngtóu)” are often used in daily talking.

拍板 (pāibǎn) to give the final decision Usage: 字面的意思是拍打板子，也指有权力、能主事的人作出最后的决定。This word means that those people with authority make the final decision.