两肋插刀
Go to great lengths for a friend
A breakdown of the characters in 两肋插刀 (liǎng lèi chā dāo):
两 (liǎng): two
肋 (lèi): ribs (肋骨 – lèi gǔ)
插 (chā): to insert ( 插入- chārù)
刀 (dāo): knife
This is probably our most violent chengyu ever. But it’s also one of the most positive.
Use this chengyu for close friends that you’d do anything for, including sticking knives in your ribs. It’s 两肋插刀 (liǎng lèi chā dāo).
两肋插刀 literally means “stick knives into both sides of your ribs,” and it’s used to express a friendship that is so great that you’re willing to do anything for it. Not surprisingly, it’s generally used among guys.
“加入军团，您将拥有为您两肋插刀的兄弟...”
“jiārù jūntuán, nín jiānɡ yōngyǒu wéi nín liǎnglèichādāo de xiōngdì...”
“After joining your army unit, you’ll soon have brothers who will do anything for you...”
“为了朋友我可以两肋插刀”
“wèi le péngyǒu wǒ kěyǐ liǎnglèichādāo”
“For friends, I’d do anything”
“王先生为人慷慨大方，是那种可以为朋友两肋插刀的硬汉”
“wáng xiānshēng wéirén kāngkǎi dàfāng, shì nàzhǒng kěyǐ wéi péngyǒu liǎnglèichādāo de yìnghàn”
“Mr. Wang is generous, and is that sort of strong-willed guy who will do anything for his friends”
“他反对的理由不是自己不愿意为朋友 两肋插刀，而是认为袁世凯不可靠 “
“tā fǎnduì de lǐyóu búshì zìjǐ bú yuànyì wéi péngyǒu liǎnglèichādāo, érshì rènwéi yuánshìkǎi bù kěkào”
“The reason why he opposed was not that he was unwilling to make sacrifices for his friends, but rather because he thought Yuan Shikai was not reliable”