麻醉 má zuì v. anesthesia / to anesthetize / (fig.) to corrupt (sb's mind) / to enervate / to numb the mind (to escape from harsh reality) syn 横 橫 héng adj., v., n. horizontal / across / crosswise / horizontal stroke (in Chinese characters) / to place (sth) flat (on a surface) / to cross (a river, etc) / in a jumble / chaotic / (in fixed expressions) harsh and unreasonable / violent syn 横 橫 hèng harsh and unreasonable / unexpected syn 峻 jùn (of mountains) high / harsh or severe syn 长夜难明 長夜難明 cháng yè nán míng lit. many nights under a harsh moon / long years of oppression (idiom) 冷话 冷話 lěng huà harsh words / sarcasm / bitter remarks 埈 jùn (of mountains) high / harsh or severe / variant of 峻[jun4] 重话 重話 zhòng huà harsh words 咽住 嚥住 yàn zhù to suppress (a sob, harsh words etc) 刻薄寡恩 kè bó guǎ ēn harsh and merciless (idiom) 陖 jùn (of mountains) high / harsh or severe / old variant of 峻[jun4] 傲雪凌霜 ào xuě - líng shuāng (lit.) cold-resistant (idiom) / (fig.) remaining strong in harsh conditions / resilient / unyielding / see 欺霜傲雪[qi1shuang1-ao4xue3] 傲雪欺霜 ào xuě - qī shuāng (lit.) cold-resistant (idiom) / (fig.) remaining strong in harsh conditions / resilient / unyielding / see 欺霜傲雪[qi1shuang1-ao4xue3] 傲霜凌雪 ào shuāng - líng xuě (lit.) cold-resistant (idiom) / (fig.) remaining strong in harsh conditions / resilient / unyielding / see 欺霜傲雪[qi1shuang1-ao4xue3] 傲霜斗雪 傲霜鬥雪 ào shuāng - dòu xuě (lit.) cold-resistant (idiom) / (fig.) remaining strong in harsh conditions / resilient / unyielding / see 欺霜傲雪[qi1shuang1-ao4xue3] 欺霜傲雪 qī shuāng - ào xuě lit. cold-resistant (idiom) / fig. remaining strong in harsh conditions / resilient / unyielding 说哭 說哭 shuō kū to make (sb) cry (with one's harsh words) 斗霜傲雪 鬥霜傲雪 dòu shuāng - ào xuě (lit.) cold-resistant (idiom) / (fig.) remaining strong in harsh conditions / resilient / unyielding / see 欺霜傲雪[qi1shuang1-ao4xue3] 不恶而严 bù è ér yán (idiom) To be neither harsh nor aggressive, yet naturally command respect and awe. 恶声恶气 è shēng è qì (idiom) Describes a harsh tone of voice and a rude, aggressive attitude. 风刀霜剑 fēng dāo shuāng jiàn (idiom) It describes biting cold, as if the wind were made of knives and the frost of swords. By extension, it also refers to a harsh and hostile environment. 风雨不改 風雨不改 fēng yǔ bù gǎi (idiom) To preserve one’s principles and integrity despite a harsh or hostile environment. 横赋暴敛 橫賦暴斂 héng fù bào liǎn (idiom) To impose harsh and excessive taxes. The expression condemns the greed and cruelty of a ruling power that exploits the population. 艰难困苦 jiān nán kùn kǔ (idiom) Describes a harsh situation marked by severe difficulties and numerous obstacles. 渴者易饮 kě zhě yì yǐn (idiom) A thirsty person finds any drink sweet. By extension, it formerly referred to people who, after suffering under harsh rule for a long time, were especially grateful for benevolent government. 口沸目赤 kǒu fèi mù chì (idiom) Describes someone highly agitated, with both a harsh voice and a stern facial expression. 破觚为圜 pò gū wéi yuán (idiom) To destroy what is angular and make it round. Figuratively, it means abolishing harsh punishments and adopting simpler, more lenient government. 声色俱厉 shēng sè jù lì (idiom) To speak with both a stern tone and a severe facial expression. It describes a harsh and reprimanding manner of speaking. syn 头会箕敛 頭會箕斂 tóu kuài jī liǎn (idiom) To impose numerous, heavy, and harsh taxes. It describes an oppressive tax burden. 严刑峻法 yán xíng jùn fǎ (idiom) Severe punishments and extremely harsh laws. The expression generally evokes repressive rule and brutal governance. 以杀去杀 yǐ shā qù shā (idiom) To use harsh laws to prevent people from breaking the law. 鹰击毛挚 鷹擊毛摯 yīng jī máo zhì (idiom) Describes a person who is harsh, ruthless, and fierce in action. 一语撞倒墙 yī yǔ zhuàng dǎo qiáng (idiom) A word can knock down a wall. Figuratively, it describes speech that is blunt, harsh, and rash. 下马作威 下馬作威 xià mǎ zuò wēi (idiom) Refers to an official who deliberately applies harsh measures upon taking office in order to establish authority. 不近道理 bù jìn dào lǐ (idiom) To be unreasonable and contrary to common human feeling. It describes conduct or a person that is harsh, unfair, or irrational. 世道浇漓 shì dào jiāo lí (idiom) Describes a society in which human relationships have become cold, harsh, and insincere. 严刑峻制 yán xíng jùn zhì (idiom) Severe punishments and harsh laws. The expression refers to a brutal and repressive form of rule. 严霜烈日 嚴霜烈日 yán shuāng liè rì (idiom) Refers to the severe trials of a harsh environment or to the resolute moral character of those who endure them. 乐嗟苦咄 樂嗟苦咄 lè jiē kǔ duō (idiom) To summon someone pleasantly when pleased but berate them when displeased. It describes a harsh and abusive attitude toward others. 乱首垢面 luàn shǒu gòu miàn (idiom) Describes someone with disheveled hair and a dirty face, formerly emphasizing the harsh living conditions of the poor. 五季之酷 wǔ jì zhī kù (idiom) The harsh calamities of the Five Dynasties period, namely the Later Liang, Later Jin, Later Han, Later Zhou, and Later Tang. 亟疾苛察 jí jí kē chá (idiom) To act with harsh urgency and petty scrutiny, mistaking excessive severity for clear-sighted judgment. 以战去战，以杀去杀 yǐ zhàn qù zhàn，yǐ shā qù shā (idiom) To use war to eliminate war and severe laws to prevent offenses. The expression presents harsh measures as a means of ending violence or crime. 以渴服马 yǐ kě fú mǎ (idiom) To train a horse by making it endure thirst and submit to commands. It refers to harsh governance that cannot win people’s genuine allegiance. 做刚做柔 做剛做柔 zuò gāng zuò róu (idiom) To use alternating harsh and gentle methods to persuade someone. 做好做恶 zuò hǎo zuò è (idiom) To pretend to be either a good person or a bad one in order to deal with a situation. It refers to alternating between a conciliatory and a harsh attitude. 冷心冷面 lěng xīn lěng miàn (idiom) To have a cold attitude and show no affection toward others. It describes a harsh and unfeeling person. 凄风冷雨 qī fēng lěng yǔ (idiom) Describes harsh weather marked by cold wind and icy rain. It is also used figuratively for a miserable and bleak situation or life. syn 凄风寒雨 qī fēng hán yǔ (idiom) Describes harsh, miserable weather or, figuratively, a bleak and tragic situation. Equivalent to “bitter winds and rain.” 凄风楚雨 qī fēng chǔ yǔ (idiom) Describes harsh, miserable weather or, figuratively, a bleak and tragic situation. syn 励志冰檗 lì zhì bīng bò (idiom) To strengthen one’s resolve while living in harsh and frugal conditions. It describes self-discipline in the face of hardship. 古寺青灯 古寺青燈 gǔ sì qīng dēng (idiom) To describe the harsh and lonely life of a sincere religious practitioner in an ancient temple. 啮雪吞毡 niè xuě tūn zhān (idiom) To endure an extremely harsh life in order to preserve one’s loyalty and moral integrity. 啮雪餐毡 niè xuě cān zhān (idiom) To lead an extremely harsh and deprived life in adversity. 地棘天荆 地棘天荊 dì jí tiān jīng (idiom) Indicates that thorns cover the whole area. Figuratively, it describes a harsh environment or difficult circumstances. 头会箕赋 頭會箕賦 tóu kuài jī fù (idiom) To levy taxes according to the number of people and collect the grain in basketfuls. It describes harsh and excessive taxation. 威刑肃物 威刑肅物 wēi xíng sù wù (idiom) To use harsh punishments to make people submissive. 寸晷风檐 cùn guǐ fēng yán (idiom) Refers to a dark, drafty eave. The expression describes the harsh conditions of examination halls in the era of the imperial examinations. 山呼海啸 shān hū hǎi xiào (idiom) Describes overwhelming power and imposing momentum. It can also refer to extremely harsh natural conditions. 岁寒知松柏之后凋 suì hán zhī sōng bǎi zhī hòu diao)1 (idiom) Only after a person has endured harsh and adverse conditions can the nobility of their character and conduct be recognized. 峻法严刑 jùn fǎ yán xíng (idiom) Severe punishments and harsh laws. 恶言恶语 è yán è yǔ (idiom) To use harsh and malicious words to insult someone or speak abusively. 意乌猝嗟 意烏猝嗟 yì wū cù jiē (idiom) To shout angrily and rebuke someone in a harsh, forceful voice. 抡眉竖目 lún méi shù mù (idiom) To assume a harsh and aggressive expression. 撑眉努眼 撐眉努眼 chēng méi nǔ yǎn (idiom) To raise one’s eyebrows and glare / to adopt a harsh, overbearing, and domineering attitude. 文深网密 wén shēn wǎng mì (idiom) Describes the harsh enforcement of laws and a tightly controlled, severe legal system. 暑雨祁寒 shǔ yǔ qí hán (idiom) The torrential rains of summer and the severe cold of winter. By extension, it evokes complaints caused by harsh living conditions. 楞眉横眼 楞眉橫眼 lèng méi héng yǎn (idiom) Describes a harsh, domineering, and threatening manner. 横征苛役 hèng zhēng kē yì (idiom) To impose excessive taxes and harsh forced labor. The expression condemns cruel exploitation. 正色厉声 正色厲聲 zhèng sè lì shēng (idiom) To adopt a stern attitude and speak in a harsh tone. 毒泷恶雾 dú lóng è wù (idiom) It refers to harsh clouds, rain, and mist. Figuratively, it denotes dark, brutal, and oppressive forces. 深文峻法 shēn wén jùn fǎ (idiom) Severe punishments and extremely harsh laws. The expression generally evokes a repressive and brutal regime. 火热水深 huǒ rè shuǐ shēn (idiom) ① Describes an extremely difficult and miserable situation. ② Describes something harsh or severe. 狠愎自用 hěn bì zì yòng (idiom) To be harsh and stubborn, acting arbitrarily and refusing to listen to others. 生不如死 shēng bù rú sǐ (idiom) Being alive is worse than being dead. It describes an extremely harsh or unbearable situation. 百花凋零 bǎi huā diāo líng (idiom) Flowers of every kind wither and decline. It describes a scene of harsh autumn frosts and sorrow at the sight. 盛暑祁寒 shèng shǔ qí hán (idiom) The periods of extreme summer heat and severe winter cold. It describes seasons with harsh climatic conditions. 破矩为圜 pò jǔ wéi yuán (idiom) To abandon harsh penal administration in favor of simpler and more lenient governance. 破觚为圆 pò gū wéi yuán (idiom) To abandon harsh penal laws in favor of simpler, more lenient administration. The expression is used in the context of governing a state. 破觚为圆，斫雕为朴 pò gū wéi yuán，zhuó diāo wéi pǔ (idiom) To abandon harsh punishments in favor of simple government, and to give up ostentation in order to return to plainness. 离疏释蹻 lí shū shì jué (idiom) To stop eating coarse food and take off one’s straw sandals. By extension, to escape a harsh and impoverished life. 笔底超生 筆底超生 bǐ dǐ chāo shēng (idiom) A phrase meaning to show understanding and leniency in writing so as to spare someone harsh consequences. 簪蒿席草 zān hāo xí cǎo (idiom) To live in great poverty and under extremely harsh material conditions. 