chicken stock / chicken soup / (fig.) chicken soup for the soul &ndash / i.e. feel-good motivational stories (often used disparagingly because the stories don't really effect change in people's lives)
meaning behind the words / what sb really means to say / one's intentions as revealed in one's words / tone of speech
知难而退
zhī nán ér tuì
to sound out the difficulties and retreat to avoid defeat (idiom) / fig. to back out of an awkward situation / to get out on finding out what it's really like
lit. the dog that bites does not show its fangs (idiom) / fig. You can't tell the really dangerous enemy from his external appearance.
大勇若怯
dà yǒng ruò qiè
a great hero may appear timid (idiom) / the really brave person remains level-headed
醉翁之意不在酒
zuì wēng zhī yì bù zài jiǔ
wine-lover's heart is not in the cup (idiom) / a drinker not really interested in alcohol / having an ulterior motive / to have other things in mind / with an ax to grind / accomplishing something besides what one set out to do
my opinion, nothing very involved (idiom, humble expression) / my humble point is a familiar opinion / what I say is really nothing out of the ordinary
卑之，无甚高论
bēi zhī , wú shèn gāo lùn
my opinion, nothing very involved (idiom, humble expression) / my humble point is a familiar opinion / what I say is really nothing out of the ordinary
实属不易
shí shǔ bù yì
really not easy (idiom)
心有余，力不足
xīn yǒu yú , lì bù zú
The will is there, but not the strength (idiom, from Confucian Analects). / I really want to do it, but don't have the resources. / The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
què shí