- 胶柱鼓瑟 jiāozhùgǔsè stubborn and unadaptableTo be stubborn or inflexible; refers to sticking to old ways and being unable to adapt to changing circumstances. Literally, to glue the tuning bridges of a zither so that the pitch cannot be adjusted.
- 如鼓瑟琴 rúgǔsèqín happily marriedto be like the harmonious music of the zithers; used to describe a couple who are very much in love and have a happy marriage