(idiom) literally to leave the sacrificial altar and take over the kitchen; used to describe exceeding one's own responsibilities to handle matters belonging to others or meddling in someone else's business

a butcher's knife and a chopping board; (metaphorical) one who has power over others, such as an oppressor or persecutor

(literary) ritual vessels used in ancient sacrifices and feasts; more generally refers to any sacrificial or ritual objects

(literary) to win a diplomatic victory or get the better of an enemy during negotiations; literally refers to stopping an enemy's advance at a banquet table

(bound form) utensils used for holding food and liquor, specifically used in ritual or formal feasts

meat on the chopping board; describes a person or country that is powerless and at the mercy of others

literally translated as 'others are the knife and chopping block while I am the fish and meat'; used to describe being in a passive and dangerous position where someone else has total power over one's fate

(literary) ancient utensils used for holding wine and food, specifically a wine vessel and a meat platter

during the course of a feast or banquet; used figuratively to refer to high-level diplomatic negotiations or political discussions

sacrificial table or stand used in ancient rituals to hold the heart and tongue of a sacrificial animal

An influential collection of stories and notes from the Tang Dynasty, written by Duan Chengshi; it records diverse topics including strange legends, religious anecdotes, flora and fauna, and historical arcana.

cooking and cutting vessels used for sacrificial animals in ancient times