1 lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it
2 to take appropriate steps
Idioms (15)
人杰地灵
rén jié dì líng
1 illustrious hero, spirit of the place (idiom); a place derives reflected glory from an illustrious son
对症下药
duì zhèng xià yào
1 lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it
2 to take appropriate steps
对症发药
duì zhèng fā yào
1 lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness (idiom); fig. to study a problem to find the right way to solve it
2 to take appropriate steps
山青水灵
shān qīng shuǐ líng
1 green mountains and vivacious waters (idiom)
2 lush and lively scenery
心有灵犀一点通
xīn yǒu líng xī yī diǎn tōng
1 hearts linked as one, just as the proverbial rhinoceros communicates emotion telepathically through his single horn (idiom); fig. two hearts beat as one
换汤不换药
huàn tāng bù huàn yào
1 different broth but the same old medicine (idiom); a change in name only
2 a change in form but not in substance
活灵活现
huó líng huó xiàn
1 living spirit, living image (idiom); true to life
2 vivid and realistic
无可救药
wú kě jiù yào
1 lit. no antidote is possible (idiom); incurable
2 incorrigible
3 beyond redemption
生灵涂炭
shēng líng tú tàn
1 people are in a terrible situation (idiom)
良药苦口
liáng yào kǔ kǒu
1 good medicine tastes bitter (idiom); fig. frank criticism is hard to swallow
荼毒生灵
tú dú shēng líng
1 to torment the people (idiom)
药到病除
yào dào bìng chú
1 lit. the disease is cured the moment the medicine is taken (idiom)
2 fig. (of a medical treatment) to give instant results
3 (of a solution or method) highly effective
药食同源
yào shí tóng yuán
1 lit. food and medicine come from the same source (idiom)
2 fig. there is no clear-cut distinction between food and medicine
灵丹妙药
líng dān miào yào
1 effective cure, miracle medicine (idiom); fig. wonder-cure for all problems
2 panacea
3 elixir
灵机一动
líng jī yī dòng
1 a bright idea suddenly occurs (idiom); to hit upon an inspiration