指约束树木（使其按人为的形态生长），刻镂冰塊（使其成某种精致的工艺品）。比喻经办毫无成效的事情。

Casting wood and carving ice

比喻凶恶狡黠之辈。

Tiger allies and fox companions

斟酌形势随机应变。

Act according to circumstances

指人主掌握兵权以制政权。

Placing importance on the heavy and managing the light

做事情有好的开头，也有好的结尾。形容办事认真。同“善始善终”。

Good beginning and proper ending

泛指生财致富之道。同“计然之策”。

Ji Ran's principles

幾：通“机”，时机；作：行动。指抓住有利时机及时采取行动。

See the opportunity and act

借公务谋取私利。同“因公假私”。

Using public office for personal gain

指刑法重而严。

Severe punishments and strict laws

坏了事情。比喻人办事没决断，就象胆小的老鼠，在出洞时头在洞口伸伸缩缩一样。

as timid as a rat which peeps out its head and dares to do nothing Excessive timidity and caution spoil affairs

筹划情况，拟订作战策略。

Plan strategies and decide prospects

针对病根下的药。比喻纠正缺点错误所用的相应办法。

Medicine suited to the illness

衡量功绩而授予爵禄。受，授。

Receiving titles for achievements

传说中的一种丹药，有增功保健的功效。

Sevenfold red elixir

指理丝不找头绪，就会越理越乱。比喻解决问题的方法不正确，使问题更加复杂。

Untangling silk into confused threads

事情易办而功效很大。

Quick actions bring double results

窃取公务上自己看管的财物。同“监主自盗”。

The overseer oversees theft on his own

指人调弄风情。

Parting clouds and stirring rain,

形容表达的技巧很高明。

describe something very expressively

比喻行动敏捷。

be as nimble as an escaping hare when going into action