黔驴技穷 qián lǘ jì qióng
to have exhausted one's limited tricks; at one's wit's end
Literally: Guizhou donkey skills exhausted
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Origin
From Liu Zongyuan's fable 黔之驴: a donkey brought to Guizhou frightened a tiger at first, but once it had only kicked, the tiger saw its skills were exhausted and ate it.
How to use it
Predicate; negative, mocking. Often 对手已经黔驴技穷.
Example sentences
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- 骗子换了好几种说法都没能骗到老人，最后黔驴技穷，只好离开。Piànzi huàn le hǎo jǐ zhǒng shuōfǎ dōu méi néng piàndào lǎorén, zuìhòu qián lǘ jì qióng, zhǐhǎo líkāi.The swindler tried several stories without fooling the old man; finally, out of tricks, he had to leave.swindler change (particle) quite several kinds sayings all not can cheat old-person, finally Guizhou donkey skills exhausted, have-to leave
- 面对记者的追问，发言人显得黔驴技穷，只能重复同样的话。Miànduì jìzhě de zhuīwèn, fāyánrén xiǎnde qián lǘ jì qióng, zhǐ néng chóngfù tóngyàng de huà.Under the reporters' questioning the spokesman seemed at his wit's end, able only to repeat the same lines.face reporter (particle) pressing-questions, spokesperson appear Guizhou donkey skills exhausted, only can repeat same (particle) words
More chengyu about animals & fables
- 螳臂当车táng bì dāng chēa mantis trying to stop a chariot; to overrate oneself and attempt the impossible
- 鹤立鸡群hè lì jī qúnto stand head and shoulders above the rest; a crane among chickens
- 杯弓蛇影bēi gōng shé yǐngto mistake the reflection of a bow for a snake; to be plagued by groundless fears
- 惊弓之鸟jīng gōng zhī niǎoa bird startled by the mere twang of a bow; a person once frightened and now easily panicked
- 老马识途lǎo mǎ shí túan old horse knows the way; experience is a reliable guide
- 如鱼得水rú yú dé shuǐlike a fish in water; perfectly in one's element
- 生龙活虎shēng lóng huó hǔfull of vim and vigour; bursting with energy
- 亡羊补牢wáng yáng bǔ láobetter late than never; to mend the fold after a sheep is lost