putty in someone's hands
Completely under someone's control or influence
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putz
A fool, an idiot.
puzzle out
to figure something out with difficulty or effort
puzzle over
To think carefully and try to understand something complicated
puzzle through
To figure something out with difficulty or confusion
puzzle-cause
A lawyer who has a confused understanding.
puzzle-text
An ignorant blundering parson.
pyah
Weak, useless, paltry. This word, much in use among sailors, is evidently derived from the Indian term PARIAH, signifying the lowest caste of Hindoos. Thus the Pariah dogs in India are termed PYAH dogs; and the Pariah descendants of the old Portuguese settlers are called PYAH Portuguese. Sailors term the natives of St. Helena—a wretched-looking set of individuals—PYAH Englishmen.
Pygmalion and Galatea
A relationship where one person molds or transforms another
pygostole
The least irreverent of names for the peculiar M. B. coats worn by Tractarian curates:—
pyjands
A kind of drawers or loose pantaloons.—Anglo-Indian.
pyrrhic dance
ISee PYRRHIC. Salic dances, instituted by Numa Pompilius in honour of Mars. They were executed by twelve priests selected from the highest of the nobility, and the dances were performed in the temple while sacrifices were being made and hymns sung to the god.
pyrrhic victory
A ruinous victory. Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, after his victory over the Romans at Asculum (279 B.C.), when he lost the flower of his army, said to those sent to congratulate him, "One more such victory and Pyrrhus is undone.
pythagorean philosopher
He professed to have powers of rnagic and it was he who discovered that the young Phoenician woman whom Memppus Lycius intended to wed was in fact a serpent, or lamia. This story was noted by Robert Burton in his Anatomy of Melancholy, and it forms the subject of Keats's Lamia.
phi công trẻ
Young pilot
phi thương,bất phú
It is necessary to take risks in order to achieve something.
Phong lưu là cạm ở đời
A charming or charismatic person can be a hidden danger
phong lưu là cạm ở đời, hồng nhan là bẫy những người tài hoa
Talented people are often trapped by love or beautiful women
phong-lưu mượn, đài-các giả
Borrow others' strengths to overcome one's weaknesses
phàm ăn tục uống
gluttonous
phí của giời
Something is inevitable or destined
phí của giời mười đời không có mà ăn
Something is extremely rare or unlikely to happen
phòng trưng bày nghệ thuật
art gallery
phù-thuỷ cao tay
Having great magical or supernatural powers
phù-thuỷ phải đền gà
Those who cause trouble must make amends
phù-thuỷ đền gà
Use great efforts for a small gain
phú quí giật lùi
Wealth and nobility can decline suddenly
phú quý sinh lễ nghĩa, bần cùng sinh đạo tặc
Wealth and prosperity give rise to courtesy and morality
phúc chí tâm linh
Good fortune comes from a kind heart
phúc chủ lộc thày
The host's good fortune comes from the guest's prosperity
phúc thiên đại phúc địa
Good fortune from heaven and earth
phúc đẳng hà sa
Good fortune is hard to come by
Phượng hoàng đậu nhánh vông nem
A person of noble character is humble and unassuming
phượng hoàng đậu nhánh vông nem, phải dè năm ngoái cưới em cho rồi. Ngã tư Chợ Gạo nước hồi, tui chồng mình vợ còn chờ đợi ai
A humorous way to express a long-awaited marriage
Phượng hoàng ở chốn cheo leo
Talented people are often found in remote or unexpected places
phải ai tai người ấy
One has to endure the consequences of their own actions
Phải duyên phải kiếp thì theo
Fate brings people together
phải duyên phải kiếp thì theo, cám còn ăn được, nữa bèo như anh
Fate brings people together
phải trái hai mang
To be in a difficult or precarious situation
phải tội cửa sau, luồn vào cửa trước
To take advantage of someone's weakness or vulnerability
phải tội lội xuống sông
to be so hungry that one could eat anything
phải vạ vịt
to suffer because of someone else's mistake
phấn giồi gót chân
To make great efforts to achieve something
phấn giồi mặt
to put on a brave face
Phấn son tô điểm sơn hà
To embellish or beautify something
phận đẹp duyên may
Good fortune and luck
phật thường độ hữu duyên
Buddha helps those who are predestined
phổi xốp như phổi bò
having a lot of stamina or energy
phụ mại tử tranh
Children suffer when parents quarrel
phụ nhân nan hoá
It's hard for a wife to change her husband
phụ vợ không gặp vợ
Helping one's wife means avoiding her
phụng thỉnh như-lai
To respectfully invite or request someone's presence
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