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中国成语故事英文版：南辕北辙
中国成语故事英文版：南辕北辙
One day, Ji Liang went to see the King of Wei and reported:
一天，季梁去见魏王，报告说：
"When I was coming here, I saw a man on the road driving a horse carage north in great haste."
“这次，我来的时候，在路上看到一个人，驾着马车往北走，走得很急。”
"I asked him: ‘Where are you going in such haste?’"
“我问他：‘走得这么急，你要去哪儿？’”
"He replied: ‘I am going to the State of Chu.'
"I said: ‘If you want to go to the State of Chu, you should go south. Why are you going north? You are going the wrong way!’
“我说：‘你去楚国，应该朝南走，怎么往北呢？你走错了！’”
"He said: ‘My horse is big and strong. It can run as fast as flying. It doesn't matter to run a little more.'
“他说：‘我的马很好，又高又大，跑起来跟飞一样快。多跑点儿没关系。’”
"I told him: ‘Though your horse is good, you are going in the wrong direction.'
“我告诉他：‘你的马虽然好，可是去楚国的方向不对呀’！”
"He said: ‘It doesn't matter. I have lots of money.'
“他说：‘没关系，我有很多钱。’”
"I told him again: ‘Though you have lots of money, this is not the road to the State of Chu.'
“我又告诉他：‘你钱虽然多，但是这不是去楚国的路呀！’”
"He said: ‘It doesn't matter. My driver is good and strong.'
“他说：‘没关系，我的车夫好，他身强力壮。’”
"Finally I told him: ‘Though your driver is good and strong, this is not the road to the State of Chu."
“最后我告诉他：‘你的车夫虽然好，但是这不是去楚国的路呀！'”
The King of Wei blurted out: "Alas, this man is too obstinate. He doesn't realize that if his direction is wrong, the better he is equipped, the farther he would be away from his destination."
魏王脱口说道：“唉！这个人真固执。他不知道方向错了，条件越好，离开目的地就越远。”
英文成语故事
答案如下：
画蛇添足
An official of the ancient State of Chu awarded a pot of wine to his men after the ceremony of Spring Sacrifice. One man said， “We have only one pot of wine. It's not enough for all of us but sufficient for one. Let's determine who'll have the wine by
drawing a snake on the ground. He who finishes first will have the wine.”
The others agreed. Very soon， one man finished his snake. He was about to drink the wine when he saw the others were still busy drawing. He said complacently，“How
slowly you are！ I still have enough time to add feet to my snke.” But before he finished the feet， another man finished his snke and grabbed the pot from him， saying，“Whoever has seen a snake with feet？ Yours is not a snke. So the wine
should be mine！” He drank the wine. The man adding the feet to the snake had to give in and could only regret his foolishness.
楚国有一个官员，在春天祭过了祖宗之后，便将一壶酒赏给他的办事人员喝。有人提议：“我们只有一壶酒，肯定不够我们大家喝的，一个人喝倒是绰绰有余。我们每人在地上画一条蛇，谁画得最快，就把这壶酒给他。” 大家都同意了。
有一个人很快就把蛇画好了。他正打算喝这壶酒时，看见别人都还忙着画呢。他就得意扬扬地说：“你们画得好慢呀，等我再画上几只脚吧！” 他的蛇脚还没画完，另一个人已经把蛇画好了。那人把酒壶夺了过去说：“有谁见过长脚的蛇？你画的不是蛇，这壶酒应该是我的了。”
说罢，就喝起酒来。那个给蛇画脚的人没办法，只能懊悔自己的愚蠢。
英文版成语故事有哪些
英文版成语故事:
凿壁偷光
Kuang Heng was born in a poor family. He liked reading books very much. He needed to work at daytime, so he had to read books ring night. But he was too poor to buy a candle.
One day, he found his neighbour had candles, but the light couldn’t go through his room. So he g a small hole on the wall so that he could use the light to read books. From that day, he read books every night until the light went out.
However, he finished reading all his books and there were no books for him to read. Then he went to a rich man’s house and worked for him without payment. The rich man asked: “ Why don’t you want the money?” Kuang Heng said: “ Because I only want to borrow your books.” The rich man agreed. Kuang Heng read the books one by one.
Finally, he became a great scholar.
匡衡勤奋好学，但家中没有蜡烛。邻家有蜡烛，但光亮照不到他家，匡衡就在墙壁上凿了洞引来邻家的光亮，让光亮照在书上读书。
县里有个大户人家不怎么识字，但家中富有，有很多书。匡衡就到他家去做雇工，但不要报酬。
主人感到很奇怪，问他为什么这样，他说：“我希望读遍主人家的书。”主人听了，深为感叹，就借给匡衡书。于是匡衡成了一位伟大的学者。
成语故事大全英文版？
成语故事既能开阔视野、增长知识,又能懂得许多做人做事的道理,更能锻炼人的语言表达能力,下面这些是我为大家推荐的几篇。
1：子罕拒玉
A farmer in the state of Song once got a piece of stone with jade in it.
宋国人有个农夫得到一块含宝玉的石头后，将它献给了相国子罕。
He presented this stone to Prime Minister Zi Han. But Zi Han refused to accept it. xiaogushi8 The farmer explained, “It looks like just a stone, but there is jade inside. It actually is a piece of treasure and suitable for honorable men like you, not for us mon people.”
子罕拒绝接受这块石头，农夫解释说：“表面上它是块石头，但里面含有宝玉，是个宝物，适合您这样的贵人使用，我们普通百姓用它就不合适了。”
“I know there is jade inside,” Zi Han said,” but I disagree with you. xiaogushi8 I think to have the virtue of declining things that do not belong to oneself is the real treasure. ”
子罕说：“我知道里面是宝玉。但我的观点和你不同，我认为具有不接受不应得的东西的品德才是真正的宝玉。”
2:讳疾忌医
A famous doctor, Bian Que, after seeing Duke Huan of the state of Cai, told him that his illness had intruded into his skin and he needed to be treated immediately.
名医扁鹊见到蔡桓公后，告诉桓公他的疾病已入侵面板，要赶快治疗。
But the Duke felt he was in good health and thought that Bian Que just wanted to take credit, so he ignored him.
桓公觉得自己的身体很好，认为扁鹊是想邀功，就没有理睬。
Ten days later, Bian Que advised the Duke to take treatments when the illness was only ion the flesh, but the Duke still had not said anything.
十天后，扁鹊劝说桓公趁病入侵肌体，英语小故事尽快诊治，桓公还是不吱声。
Another then days had passed before Bian Que told the Duke that his illness had moved to his intestines and stomach. xiaogushi8 But the king still did not believe hi, Another ten days later, when Bian Que saw the Duke, he said nothing and turned around and left.
又过了十天，扁鹊说桓公病人肠胃，桓公还是不信。再过十天，扁鹊见到桓公，一句话没说，转身便离开了。
Duke Huan sent people to ask for the reason, and Bian Que answered that when the illness was in skin, flesh, intestines and stomach, it could be cured through sticking medicines, fumigating and washing, acupuncture, or taking medicines that can eliminate internal heat, etc. Now the illness was in the bones, it could not be cured any more.
桓公派人去问他，扁鹊说，病在面板、肌体、肠胃可以通过敷药、薰药、针灸、服用清火药剂等手段治疗，现已病已骨髓，治不好了。
Five days later, Duke Huan ached all over the body. But at this time, xiaogushi8 Bian Que had already fled to the state of Qin. Before long, the Duke died of his incurable illness.
五天以后，桓公浑身疼痛，而扁鹊已逃往秦国。不久，桓公因伤病发作，治疗无效而死去。
3:自胜为强
Zeng Zi saw Zi Xia and asked him, “Why have you gained weight?”
曾子见到子夏，问道：“你怎么胖了?”
Zi Xia said, “I had a victory, that is why I have gained weight.”
子夏说：“我获得了胜利，所以胖了。”
“What victory do you refer to?” Zi Xia said, “When I immerged myself in reading books, xiaogushi8 I revered the principles of the emperors and sages of the past. When I went out, I admired the life of nabodi *** . There was a fight between the two in my mind, and they came out even. So I got emaciated. Now that the principles of the emperors and sages of the past have won victory, my mind has bee more and more peaceful. So I have gained weight.”
曾子问：“你是指什么?”子夏说：“我埋头读书时，敬仰先生至圣的道理，出门在外则羡慕富贵生活的快乐，英语短文两者在心中交战，难分胜负，所以瘦了下来。现在，先王至圣的道理获胜了，心中也日益安宁，所以人也胖了起来。”
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1.英文成语故事带翻译
2.成语故事英文版
3.成语故事英文精选
4.成语故事英文
5.成语故事中英文
英文版成语故事有哪些?
英文版的《守株待兔》如下：
Once upon a time, there was a farmer. One day, while he was working in the fields, he saw a hare run into a tree stump accidentally and die of a broken neck.
从前，有一个农夫。一天，在他耕田的时候，忽然跑过来一只野兔，恰好碰在一个树桩上，脖子折断死了。
The farmer took the hare home and cooked a delicious meal for himself.
农夫把兔子拾回家去，美美地吃了一顿兔肉。
That night he thought: "I needn't work so hard. All I have to do is wait every day by the stump to pick up the hare that runs into it."
当晚，他就想：“我何必辛辛苦苦的种地呢？每天在树桩旁等着捡撞死的野兔就好了”。
So from then on he gave up farming, and stood by the tree stump waiting for the hare to come and run into it.
于是他从此不再耕种，每天在树桩旁等待野兔的到来。
But from then on, he never saw another hare run into the tree stump.
但是，从那以后，他再没有发现一只野兔撞在树桩上。
成语寓意
野兔撞在树桩上死去，这是非常偶然的事，它并不意味着，别的野兔也一定会撞死在这个树桩上。可是，这个农夫竟然以偶然当作必然，不惜放下农具，任其耕田荒芜，专等偶然的收获。
这个故事告诫我们：不要存有侥幸心理，不要总想着不劳而获，如果不付出努力，而寄希望于意外之财，结果只能是竹篮打水一场空。我们的生活是要靠自己的双手去一点点地创造的，如果总想不劳而获，那么人生就会像这个宋国人的田地一样荒废掉。
我急需中国成语英文小故事（中英对照）谢谢啦
成语故事，中英文对照
惊弓之鸟
Birds Startled by the Mere Twang of a Bowstring
战国时期（公元前403―221年中国中原地区各诸侯国连年争战的时代）魏国有个名叫更羸的人。一天，他对国王说：“我只要拉开弓，空射一下，就能把天上的鸟射下来。”国王不相信。更羸便对准天上飞来的一只雁射去，果真那只雁听到拉弦的声音就掉了下来。国王感到很奇怪。更羸说，“那是一只受过伤的雁。它一听到我拉开弓弦的声响，就惊慌得支持不住，自然要掉下来了。”
In the Warring States Period, there was a man in the State of Wei called Geng Lei. One day he said to the king: 'I can shoot down birds by simply plucking my bowstring.' When the king expressed doubt, Geng Lei pointed his bow at a wild goose flying in the sky, twanged the bowstring, and the goose fell to the ground. Geng Lei said, 'This goose has been hurt in the past. Hearing the twang of the bowstring, it assumed that it was doomed. So it simply gave up trying to live.'
“惊弓之鸟”这个成语比喻受过惊恐之后，有一点动静就特别害怕。
This idiom means that if one has been frightened in the past one's will may become paralysed in a similar situation.
毛遂自荐
Mao Sui Recommending Himself
战国时代，秦国军队攻打赵国的都城。赵国的平原君打算亲自到楚国去请救兵，想挑选一个精明能干的人一同前去。有一个名叫毛遂的人，自告奋勇愿意同去。平原君到楚国后，与楚王谈了半天，没有一点结果。毛遂怒气冲冲地拿着宝剑，逼近楚王，终于迫使楚王答应出兵，与赵国联合共同抵抗秦国。
In the Warring States Period, the State of Qin besieged the capital of the State of Zhao. Duke Pingyuan of Zhao planned to ask the ruler of the State of Chu personally for assistance. He wanted to select a capable man to go with him. A man called Mao Sui volunteered. When the negoti-actions between the two states were stalled because the ruler of Chu hesitated to send troops, Mao Sui approached him, brandishing a sword. At that, the ruler of Chu agreed to help Zhao, against Qin.
“毛遂自荐”这个成语用来比喻自己推荐自己，不必别人介绍。
This idiom means to recommend oneself.
世外桃源
A Haven of Peace and Happiness
东晋的文学家陶渊明写了一片著名的文章叫《桃花源记》。叙述一个渔人出外捕鱼的时候，偶然来到了桃花源这个地方。从这里通过一个山洞，发现了一个村子，这里的居民是秦朝时避难人的后代。这是一个与世隔绝、没有剥削和压迫、人人安居乐业的美好社会。渔人告别村民回家以后，再也找不到这个地方了。
Tao Yuanming, a famous writer of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), wrote the well-known essay Peach-Blossom Spring. In it he tells a story which goes like this: A fisherman happened to come upon a place called Peach-Blossom Spring. Squeezing through a cave, he found a village, the residents of which were descendants of refugees from the Qin Dynasty. It was a paradise isolated from the outside world, without exploitation or oppression, and everybody living and working in peace and contentment. The fisherman left the villagers and went home. But he could never find the place again.
后来，由这个故事产生了“世外桃源”这个成语，用来比喻与世隔绝的、理想的美好世界。
This idiom is derived from the above story, and is used to mean an isolated, ideal world.
南辕北辙
Going South by Driving the Chariot North
Once a man wanted to go to the south, but his carriage was heading north. A passer-by asked him: 'If you are going to the south, why is your chariot heading north? ' The man answered, 'My horse is good at running, my driver is highly skilled at driving a carriage, and I have enough money. ' The man didn't consider that the direction might be wrong; the better his conditions were, the further he was away from his destination.
后来人们就把这个故事概括为“南辕北辙”，比喻一个人的行为和他的目的正好相反。
The idiom derived from this story indicates that one's action was the opposite effect to one's intention.
画龙点睛
Putting the Finishing Touch to the Picture of a Dragon
南北朝(公元420--589)时期，有个画家叫张僧繇。有一次，他到一个寺庙去游玩，在墙壁上面画了四条龙，可是都没有画出眼睛。看画的人觉得很奇怪，问他为什么不画出眼睛。他说：“眼睛是龙的关键，画上眼睛，龙就会飞走了。”大家不相信他说的话。张僧繇拿起笔来，刚给两条龙点上眼睛，立刻电闪雷鸣，两条龙飞向天空，墙上只剩下两条没有画眼睛的龙。
In the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period (420-589), there was a painter called Zhang Sengyou. Once he visited a temple and painted on the wall four dragons, but gave none of them eyes. The onlookers felt that this was odd, and asked why he hadn't painted the eyes. He answered, 'Eyes are crucial for dragons. With the eyes painted on, the dragons would fly away.' Nobody believed this, so Zhang Sengyou took up his brush and added eyes to two of the dragons. No sooner had he finished than the two dragons flew into the sky amid a thunderstorm. The two without eyes stayed painted on the wall.
“画龙点睛”这个成语用来比喻讲话或写文章时，在关键地方加一两句重要的话，使内容更加生动有力。
This idiom is used to describe how, when writing or speaking, one or two key sentences will enhance the contents.
画蛇添足
Drawing a snake and Adding Feet
战国时代有个楚国人祭他的祖先。仪式结束后，他拿出一壶酒赏给手下的几个人。大家商量说：“我们都来画蛇，谁先画好谁就喝这壶酒。”其中有一个人先画好了。但他看到同伴还没有画完，就又给蛇添上了脚。这时，另一个人也画好了，夺过酒壶吧酒喝了，并且说：“蛇本来是没有脚的，你怎么能给它添上脚呢？”
In the Warring States Period, a man in the State of Chu was offering a sacrifice to his ancestors. After the ceremony, the man gave a beaker of wine to his servants. The servants thought that there was not enough wine for all them, and decided to each draw a picture of a snake; the one who finished the picture first would get the wine. One of them drew very rapidly. Seeing that the others were still busy drawing, he added feet to the snake. At this moment another man finished, snatched the beaker and drank the wine, saying, 'A snake doesn't have feet. How can you add feet to a snake? '
“画蛇添足”这个成语比喻做了多余而不恰当的事，反而把事情弄糟了。
This idiom refers to ruining a venture by doing unnecessary and surplus things.
班门弄斧
Showing Off One's Proficiency with the Axe Before Lu Ban the Master Carpenter
古代有一个建筑和雕刻技术非常高超的人，名叫鲁班，木匠行里尊称他为祖师。传说他曾用木头制作了一只五彩斑斓的凤凰，能够在空中飞翔三天不掉下来。在鲁班门前摆弄斧子，当然显得有些自不量力了。
Lu Ban was supposed to be a consummate carpenter in ancient times. It is said that he once carved a wooden phoenix that was so lifelike that it actually flew in the sky for three days. Thus it was considered the height of folly to show off one's skill with an axe in front of Lu Ban.
“班门弄斧”这个成语，用来比喻在行家面前显示本领。
This idiom excoriates those who show off their slight accomplishments in front of experts.
可爱多 2005-6-13 08:38
怒发冲冠
So Angry That One' s Hair Lifts Up One' s Hat
战国时代，赵国的大臣蔺相如出使到秦国。在他向秦王索回玉璧的时候，秦王蛮不讲理，蔺相如气愤得连头发都竖了起来，向上冲着帽子。
In the Warring States Period, Lin Xiangru, chief min-ister of the State of Zhao, was sent as an envoy to the State of Qin to ask the ruler of Qin to return a fine piece of jade to Zhao. But the ruler of Qin was rude and unreasonable. Lin was angry, and his hair stood up so stiffly on his head that it lifted up his hat.
后来人们用“怒发冲冠”这个成语形容人愤怒到了极点。
This idiom came to be used to mean being extremely angry.
画饼充饥
Allaying Hunger with Pictures of Cakes
三国时代魏国的皇帝曹睿，准备选拔一个有才能的人到朝廷来做官。曹睿对他的大臣说：“选择人才，不能光找有虚名的人。虚名好像是在地上画的一块饼，只能看，不能解决肚子饥饿的问题啊！”
In the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), the king of the Wei, Cao Rui, wanted to select a very capable man to work for him. He said to his ministers: 'When choosing a talented person, always beware of one with a false reputation. A false reputation is just like a picture of a cake; it can' t relieve hunger.'
后来人们就用“画饼充饥”这个成语比喻用空想安慰自己，不能解决实际问题。
Later, this idiom came to be used to mean comforting oneself with unrealistic thoughts, without solving practical problems.
一鸣惊人
Amazing the World with a Single Feat
战国时代，齐威王即位后做了三年国君，只顾享乐，不理政事。有个善于说笑话的人叫淳于髡，一天对齐威王说：“城里有一只大鸟，三年不飞也不叫，你知道这是什么道理？”齐威王说：“这鸟不飞则罢，一飞就冲天；不鸣则罢，一鸣就惊人。”在淳于髡的激发下，齐威王开始治理国家，取得很大成绩，齐国的声威一直保持了几十年。
In the Warring States Period, Duke Wei of Qi neglected state affairs, for the first three years of his reign, giving himself over to dissipation. One of his ministers, Chun Yukun who had a good sense of humour, said to him: 'There is a big bird which has neither taken wing nor sung for three years.' The ke answered, 'Once that bird starts to fly and sing, it will astonish the world.' The ke thereupon devoted himself to his ties and built his state up into a powerful one.
“一鸣惊人”用来表示平时默默无闻，一旦行动起来，却做出惊人的成绩。
This idiom is used to indicate that a person may rise from obscurity and achieve greatness.
株待兔
Sitting by a Stump, Waiting for a Careless Hare
春秋时代，宋国有个农夫，一天在耕田的时候，忽然跑来一只兔子，恰巧碰在树桩上，脖子折断死了。农夫把兔子拾回家去，美美地吃了一顿兔肉。晚上他想：“我何必辛辛苦苦地种地呢？每天在树下能捡到一只兔子就够我吃的了。”于是，他从此不再耕作，每天坐在树下等待兔子的到来。
In the Spring and Autumn Period, a farmer in the State of Song was one day working in the fields when he saw a rabbit bump into a tree stump accidentally and break its neck. The farmer took the rabbit home, and cooked himself a delicious meal. That night he thought, 'I needn't work so hard. All I have to do is wait for a rabbit each day by the stump.' So from then on he gave up farming, and simply sat by the stump waiting for rabbits to come and run into it.
“守株待兔”这个成语，讥笑那些不想经过努力，存在侥幸心理，希望得到意外收获的人。
This idiom satirizes those who just wait for a stroke of luck, rather than making efforts to obtain what they need.
Zengzi Slaughters a Pig
曾子杀彘
engzi’s wife was going to the market. Her little son insisted on going with her, making a tearful scene. “Stay at home,” she said to the boy. “When I come back, I will slaughter a pig for you.” When she came back, Zengzi got ready to slaughter the pig. His wife stopped him, saying: “I was just kidding.” “A child is not to be kidded like that!” he replied. “A child does not know much and cannot judge for himself. He learns from his parents and listens to what they day. To lie to him is to teach him to lie to others. If a mother lies to her son, he will not trust her anymore. How is she then to ecate him?” With that Zengzi went to slaughter the pig and prepare a good meal for their son.
曾子的妻子到集市上去, 他的儿子哭着要跟去. 他的母亲说: “你回家呆着,待会儿我回来杀猪给你吃.” 她刚从集市上回来, 曾子就要捉猪去杀. 妻子劝止他说: “只不过是跟孩子开玩笑罢了.” 曾子说: “不能跟孩子开玩笑啊! 小孩子没有思考和判断能力, 要想父母亲学习, 听从父母的教导. 现在你欺骗他,这是教孩子骗人啊! 母亲欺骗儿子, 儿子就不再相信自己的母亲了, 这不是实现教育的方法.” 于是曾子就杀猪煮肉给孩子吃.
狐假虎威
Basking in Reflected Glory
老虎在山林里捉到了一只狐狸，要吃掉它。狐狸连忙说：“你不能吃我，我是天帝派来统治百兽的。你要吃了我，就违抗了天帝的命令。你不信，就跟我到山林里去一趟，看百兽见了我是不是都很害怕。”老虎相信了狐狸的话，就跟在狐狸的后面走进山林。百兽见了果然都纷纷逃命。老虎以为百兽真的害怕狐狸而不知道是害怕自己，于是就把狐狸给放了。
A tiger caught a fox in a forest, and was just about to eat it, when the fox said, 'You mustn't eat me. I was sent by Heaven to rule the animals. By eating me, you will violate the command of Heaven. If you don't believe me, just follow me to see whether the animals are afraid of me.' The tiger agreed, and followed the fox as it walked around the forest. The animals all ran away on seeing them. The tiger thought they were afraid of the fox, so he let it go. He didn't realise that it was him that the beasts were really afraid of.
“狐假虎威”这个成语用来比喻倚仗别人的势力去欺压人或吓唬人。
This idiom means relying on another's power to bully or frighten others.
破镜重圆
A Broken Mirror Made Whole Agian
南朝陈国(公元557-589)将要灭亡的时候，驸马徐德言把一面铜镜破开，跟妻子各留下一半。双方约定：如果将来夫妻失散了，就把它当作信物。后来，夫妻二人真的失散了，凭借着各人留下的半面镜子，他们最终又得到团圆。
In the Northern and Southern Dynasties when the State of Chen (A.D. 557-589) was facing its demise, Xu Deyan, husband of the princess, broke a bronze mirror into halves. Each of them kept a half as tokens in case they were separated. Soon afterwards, they did lose touch with each other, but the two halves of the mirror enabled them to be reunited.
“破镜重圆”这个成语比喻夫妻失散或分离后重新团聚。
This idiom is used to refer to the reunion of a couple after they lose touch or break up.
一鼓作气
Rousing the Spirits with the First Drum Roll
春秋时代，齐国派兵攻打鲁国。鲁国的国王鲁庄公带着谋士曹刿指挥作战。齐军第一次击鼓以后，鲁军准备发起进攻。曹刿说：“不行。”齐军三次击鼓以后，曹刿才说：“现在可以进攻了。”结果齐军大败。战斗结束后，鲁庄公问曹刿胜利的原因。曹刿说：“打仗要考勇气。第一次击鼓，士气十分旺盛；第二次击鼓，士气有些衰落；第三次击鼓，士气就消耗尽了。敌人士气耗尽，我们发起进攻，所以取得了胜利。”
During the Spring and Autumn Period, an army from the State of Qi confronted one from the State of Lu. After the first roll of drums from the Qi side to summon Lu to battle, the Lu ruler wanted to attack. But his counsellor Cao Gui said, 'We should wait until the third drum roll, sire.' After the Qi side had beaten the drums three times, the Lu army attacked and defeated the Qi army. After the battle, the king asked Cao Gui the reason for his odd advice. Cao Gui answered, 'Fighting needs spirit. Their spirit was aroused by the first roll or the drums, but was depleted by the second. And it was completely exhausted by the third. We started to attack when their spirit was exhausted. That's why we won.'
后来，“一鼓作气”形容鼓起劲头，一下子把事情干完。
This idiom later meant to get something done with one sustained effort.
