Vocabulary

dead of night (when even the trees and plants sleep)

dirty bomb; radiological dispersal device

open sesame!

to be used to eating the best; to have a refined palate

to like; to prefer; to be pleased by

to like; to prefer; to be pleased by

to behave modestly

three-cornered battle

birds of a feather flock together

take a long walk off a short pier; go stick your head in a pig; bash your head against the corner of a block of tofu and die

to not see the forest for the trees; to not see the wood for the trees; to be caught up with trivial matters and lose sight of the big picture

to part (from); to part company (with); to split (with); to break off relations (with)

in that manner

the end justifies the means; circumstances may justify a lie

sour (expression); as if having chewed on a bitter bug

to have a talk; to tell a story

the die is cast; there is no going back; alea iacta est

to speak sharply (e.g. during a heated discussion or argument)

you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs; a small sacrifice may be necessary to solve a more pressing problem

to bluff; to act brave; to put on a bold front

losing everything; suffering a total loss; coming to nothing; having lost the interest and the principal

fickle; inconstant; capricious; having many romantic interests

the greater embraces the less; better too big than too small

no big deal; no match; not worth worrying about

as (X, then Y); with; in accordance with; in proportion to

to prepare oneself for the worst; to strengthen one's resolve; to accept one's fate; to prepare oneself

to find fault (with trivial matters); to scold over minor things; to get angry over trifles; to raise one's eyebrows

believe it or not

because; as; since; so; due to

to be itching to put one's skills to use

to turn someone down (on some pretext) without offending them; to refuse gracefully; to decline politely

to succeed; to bear fruit

no change; no difference

where there is a will, there is a way

to be in a miserable state; to be down and out

to settle (a problem)

better starve than fatten on ill-gotten wealth; don't lower yourself to unjust acts, no matter how desperate you are; refraining to drink from a spring called Robber's Spring even if thirsty

the slightest bit of room; room to stand a gimlet (on its end)

never being satisfied with what one gets, and always wanting more; giving someone an inch and having them take a mile; taking Gansu only to want Sichuan

to fail one step short of great success; to fall at the last hurdle