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马马虎虎mǎ mǎ hū hūso-so, careless, or just passable depending on contexthorse horse tiger tigerBeginnerneutral to mildly negative 守株待兔shǒu zhū dài tùto wait idly for luck instead of workingguard a tree stump and wait for rabbitsIntermediatecritical 亡羊补牢wáng yáng bǔ láoto repair the pen after losing sheep; better late than neverlose sheep, repair the enclosureIntermediatecorrective and practical 画蛇添足huà shé tiān zúto ruin something by adding what is unnecessarydraw a snake and add feetIntermediatecritical 刻舟求剑kè zhōu qiú jiànto use a fixed mark for a changed situationcarve a mark on the boat to look for a swordIntermediatecritical 拔苗助长bá miáo zhù zhǎngto spoil growth by forcing it too fastpull up seedlings to help them growIntermediatecritical and cautionary 水滴石穿shuǐ dī shí chuānsteady effort can wear through stonewater drops pierce stoneBeginnerpositive 一丝不苟yì sī bù gǒumeticulous; not careless in the slightestnot careless about even one threadBeginnerpositive 勤能补拙qín néng bǔ zhuōdiligence can make up for lack of natural talentdiligence can compensate for clumsinessBeginnerpositive and practical 闻鸡起舞wén jī qǐ wǔto rise at the rooster's crow and train; disciplined early efforthear the rooster and get up to practiceIntermediateadmiring 破釜沉舟pò fǔ chén zhōuto burn the boats; commit with no retreatbreak the cooking pots and sink the boatsIntermediateresolute 塞翁失马sài wēng shī mǎa loss may turn into a blessingthe old man at the frontier lost his horseIntermediatephilosophical and calming 井底之蛙jǐng dǐ zhī wāa person with a narrow viewa frog at the bottom of a wellBeginnercritical 南辕北辙nán yuán běi zhéto act in a way that goes against the goalthe shaft points south but the tracks go northIntermediatecritical 胸有成竹xiōng yǒu chéng zhúto have a clear plan or mental picture before actingto have a completed bamboo in one's chestIntermediateconfident 乱七八糟luàn qī bā zāomessy, chaotic, or in disorderchaotic seven eight messyBeginnernegative 一鸣惊人yī míng jīng rénto astonish people with one sudden achievement after quiet preparationone cry or call startles peopleIntermediatepositive and surprising 融会贯通róng huì guàn tōngto integrate knowledge until it connects and makes sense as a wholeblend, meet, run through, and connectAdvancedpositive and intellectual 学海无涯xué hǎi wú yálearning is as vast as the sea and has no final shorethe sea of learning has no shoreBeginnerhumble and encouraging 百折不挠bǎi zhé bù náoto remain unyielding after many setbacksa hundred bends, yet not yieldingIntermediateadmiring and determined 知行合一zhī xíng hé yīunity of knowledge and actionknowing and doing become oneAdvancedprincipled and reflective 举一反三jǔ yī fǎn sānto infer many things from one exampleraise one, turn back with threeIntermediateapproving and analytical 温故知新wēn gù zhī xīnreview the old and learn the newwarm up the old and know the newIntermediatethoughtful and encouraging 青出于蓝qīng chū yú lánthe student surpasses the teacherblue-green dye comes from indigo grassIntermediateadmiring and generous 一模一样yī mú yī yàngexactly the sameone model, one appearanceBeginnerneutral descriptive 一波三折yī bō sān zhéfull of twists and turnsone wave, three bendsIntermediatedescriptive and mildly dramatic 以心换心yǐ xīn huàn xīnto win sincerity with sincerityuse heart to exchange for heartIntermediatesincere and relational 门庭若市mén tíng ruò shìcrowded with visitors; bustling like a marketthe gate and courtyard are like a marketIntermediatedescriptive and often admiring 差强人意chā qiáng rén yìbarely satisfactory, better than expected, or acceptable despite flawssomewhat able to strengthen people's willAdvancedguarded approval 杯弓蛇影bēi gōng shé yǐngimaginary fear caused by a false impressiona bow reflected in a cup looks like a snakeIntermediatecritical but often sympathetic 东施效颦dōng shī xiào pínto imitate someone blindly and make oneself look worseDong Shi imitates a frownIntermediatecritical and sometimes sharp 出类拔萃chū lèi bá cuìoutstanding among otherscome out from the group and rise above the clusterIntermediateclear praise 掉以轻心diào yǐ qīng xīnto treat something lightly or carelesslyhandle it with a light heartIntermediatewarning or criticism 大器晚成dà qì wǎn chénggreat talent or a great work matures latea great vessel is completed lateIntermediateencouraging and patient 对牛弹琴duì niú tán qínto speak to the wrong audienceplay the qin for a cowBeginnercritical and sometimes humorous 一针见血yī zhēn jiàn xiěto hit the key point directlyone needle sees bloodIntermediatesharp, direct, often approving 改邪归正gǎi xié guī zhèngto leave a wrong path and return to what is rightchange from crookedness and return to correctnessIntermediatemoral and corrective 好逸恶劳hào yì wù láoto love ease and hate worklike comfort and dislike laborIntermediatenegative judgment 天道酬勤tiān dào chóu qíndiligence is rewardedthe way of heaven rewards diligenceIntermediatemotivational and positive 物极必反wù jí bì fǎnthings reverse when pushed to an extremewhen things reach the extreme, they must turn backAdvancedcautionary and philosophical 近水楼台jìn shuǐ lóu táito have an advantage because of being close to somethinga tower near the waterIntermediateneutral to mildly critical 海纳百川hǎi nà bǎi chuānto be broad-minded and inclusivethe sea accepts hundreds of riversIntermediateadmiring and expansive 夜郎自大yè láng zì dàarrogant because of limited perspectiveYelang thinks itself greatIntermediatesharp criticism 因果报应yīn guǒ bào yìngcause and effect; karmic consequencecauses, results, and retributionIntermediatemoral, reflective, sometimes severe 百尺竿头bǎi chǐ gān tóuto reach a high level and still keep improvingat the top of a hundred-foot poleIntermediatepositive and aspirational 抱薪救火bào xīn jiù huǒto make a problem worse while trying to solve itcarry firewood to put out a fireIntermediatecritical and warning 冰消瓦解bīng xiāo wǎ jiěto melt away or fall apart completelyice melts and tiles break apartIntermediatedescriptive, often dramatic 闭月羞花bì yuè xiū huāso beautiful that the moon hides and flowers feel ashamedthe moon closes away and flowers blush with shameLiteraryornate and admiring 步步为营bù bù wéi yíngto advance carefully step by stepmake a camp at every stepIntermediatecareful and strategic 鞭辟入里biān pì rù lǐpenetrating and deeply analyticalto press inward into the inner layerAdvancedapproving and analytical 本末倒置běn mò dào zhìto reverse what is fundamental and what is secondaryput the root and the branch upside downIntermediatecritical and corrective 不胫而走bù jìng ér zǒuto spread quickly without being deliberately sent aroundto run without shins or legsIntermediatedescriptive, sometimes cautionary 春风化雨chūn fēng huà yǔgentle guidance that nurtures growthspring wind turns into rainIntermediategentle and approving 察言观色chá yán guān sèto read people's words and expressionsobserve words and watch facial colorIntermediateobservant, sometimes strategic 春蚕到死chūn cán dào sǐdevotion that continues until the very enda spring silkworm spins silk until deathLiterarysolemn and admiring 唇亡齿寒chún wáng chǐ hánclosely linked interests; one side's loss harms the otherwhen the lips are gone, the teeth feel coldIntermediatewarning and relational 插翅难飞chā chì nán fēiunable to escape even with wingseven with wings inserted, flying away is difficultIntermediatetense and emphatic 城门失火chéng mén shī huǒnearby trouble harms innocent bystandersthe city gate catches fireIntermediatewarning and sympathetic 承前启后chéng qián qǐ hòuto carry forward the past and open the futurereceive what came before and start what comes afterIntermediateconstructive and transitional 草木皆兵cǎo mù jiē bīngto see enemies everywhere out of feargrass and trees all look like soldiersIntermediatecritical, fearful, or descriptive 沧海桑田cāng hǎi sāng tiánvast change over timeblue seas become mulberry fieldsIntermediatereflective, historical, or wistful 侧目而视cè mù ér shìto look sideways with fear, anger, or disapprovalturn the eyes sideways and lookAdvancedcritical, uneasy, or guarded 读万卷书dú wàn juǎn shūread widely and deeplyread ten thousand scrolls of booksBeginnerencouraging and studious 登堂入室dēng táng rù shìto reach a high level of masteryenter the hall and then the inner roomAdvancedpositive and respectful 登峰造极dēng fēng zào jíto reach the highest levelclimb the peak and reach the utmost pointAdvancedstrongly admiring or critical of extremity 滴水不漏dī shuǐ bù lòuwatertight; leaving no gapsnot a drop of water leaksIntermediateadmiring, wary, or critical depending on object 洞若观火dòng ruò guān huǒto see something with perfect clarityclear as watching fireAdvancedadmiring and analytical 顶礼膜拜dǐng lǐ mó bàito worship or admire to an excessive degreebow with the highest ritual and kneel in worshipIntermediateadmiring in form but often critical of excess 胆大心细dǎn dà xīn xìbold but carefullarge courage and fine attentionIntermediatepositive and practical 风雨同舟fēng yǔ tóng zhōuto share hardships in the same boatwind and rain, same boatBeginnersupportive and communal 风声鹤唳fēng shēng hè lìto be frightened by every sound after panicwind sounds and crane callsAdvancedfearful, critical, or descriptive 负重前行fù zhòng qián xíngto move forward while carrying a heavy burdencarry weight and move forwardIntermediateserious, respectful, and resilient 风云突变fēng yún tū biàna sudden dramatic change in the situationwind and clouds suddenly changeIntermediatedramatic and situational 负重致远fù zhòng zhì yuǎnto carry a heavy load and reach farbear weight and arrive far awayAdvancedrespectful and weighty 凤毛麟角fèng máo lín jiǎoextremely rare and preciousphoenix feathers and qilin hornsIntermediateadmiring, surprised, or evaluative 风云际会fēng yún jì huìa meeting of great people and timely circumstanceswind and clouds meet at the right momentAdvancedgrand, historical, or opportunity-focused 刮目相看guā mù xiāng kànto look at someone with new respect after real changescrape the eyes and look againIntermediatepositive reassessment 刚柔并济gāng róu bìng jìto combine firmness and flexibilityhard and soft support each other togetherAdvancedbalanced praise 隔岸观火gé àn guān huǒto watch trouble from a safe distancewatch a fire from across the riverIntermediatecritical observation 根深蒂固gēn shēn dì gùdeeply rooted and hard to changedeep roots and firm stem baseIntermediatediagnostic 过河拆桥guò hé chāi qiáoto discard help after it has served its purposecross the river and tear down the bridgeIntermediatemoral criticism 厚积薄发hòu jī bó fāto build deeply before showing resultsthick accumulation, thin releaseAdvancedpatiently encouraging 画龙点睛huà lóng diǎn jīngto add the finishing touch that brings something alivepaint the dragon and dot the eyesBeginnerpositive completion 机不可失jī bù kě shīan opportunity must not be missedthe chance cannot be lostBeginnerurgent encouragement 开卷有益kāi juàn yǒu yìreading is beneficialopening a book has benefitBeginnerencouraging and educational 良药苦口liáng yào kǔ kǒugood advice can be hard to heargood medicine tastes bitterBeginnercorrective and sincere 流水不腐liú shuǐ bù fǔmovement prevents stagnationflowing water does not rotIntermediatepreventive and practical 落叶归根luò yè guī gēnreturn to one's rootsfallen leaves return to the rootsBeginnernostalgic and rooted 墨守成规mò shǒu chéng guīrigidly stick to old rulesMozi-like guarding of established rulesIntermediatecritical and anti-rigid 目不暇接mù bù xiá jiētoo much to take in visuallythe eyes have no leisure to receive everythingBeginnerimpressed or overwhelmed 南腔北调nán qiāng běi diàomixed regional accentssouthern tunes and northern tonesIntermediatedescriptive, playful, or lightly critical 藕断丝连ǒu duàn sī liánseparated but still emotionally connectedthe lotus root breaks but the fibers remain connectedIntermediatelingering and unresolved 半途而废bàn tú ér fèito give up halfwayabandon the effort midwayBeginnercritical but practical 不耻下问bù chǐ xià wènnot too proud to ask those below oneselfnot ashamed to ask downwardIntermediateapproving 不可思议bù kě sī yìunbelievable or beyond imaginationcannot be thought or discussedBeginnersurprised or admiring 不约而同bù yuē ér tóngto do the same thing without prior agreementnot arranged, yet the sameBeginnerdescriptive 程门立雪chéng mén lì xuěto show deep respect for a teacherstand in the snow at Cheng's gateLiteraryrespectful 得心应手dé xīn yìng shǒuto handle something skillfully and easilythe heart gets it and the hand respondsIntermediateconfident and approving 分秒必争fēn miǎo bì zhēngto race against every minute and secondevery minute and second must be fought forIntermediateurgent and disciplined 负荆请罪fù jīng qǐng zuìto offer a sincere apology and accept faultcarry thorny branches and request punishmentLiteraryremorseful and serious 功亏一篑gōng kuī yī kuìto fail just short of completionthe work fails for lack of one basket of earthIntermediateregretful and cautionary 光明磊落guāng míng lěi luòopen, upright, and honorablebright, clear, and broad-heartedIntermediateethical and admiring 和睦共处hé mù gòng chǔto live or work together harmoniouslyharmonious and friendly co-existenceBeginnerpositive and social 脚踏实地jiǎo tà shí dìto be practical, grounded, and steadyfeet step on solid groundBeginnerapproving and steady 锲而不舍qiè ér bù shěto keep working persistently and never give upcarve and do not abandonIntermediateencouraging 开门见山kāi mén jiàn shānto get straight to the pointopen the door and see the mountainBeginnerclear and efficient 名落孙山míng luò sūn shānto fail an exam or miss selectionthe name falls behind Sun ShanIntermediatedisappointed but often gentle 破镜重圆pò jìng chóng yuána broken relationship is reuniteda broken mirror becomes round againIntermediatehopeful and emotional 千载难逢qiān zǎi nán féngan extremely rare opportunityhard to encounter in a thousand yearsIntermediateemphatic and urgent 入木三分rù mù sān fēndeeply penetrating and incisiveenter the wood three-tenths of an inchLiteraryadmiring and analytical 事半功倍shì bàn gōng bèito achieve more with less efforthalf the work, double the achievementIntermediateefficient and approving 昙花一现tán huā yī xiànto appear briefly and vanishthe night-blooming flower appears onceIntermediateregretful, poetic, or critical 天衣无缝tiān yī wú fèngseamless and flawlessheavenly clothing has no seamsIntermediateadmiring 防微杜渐fáng wēi dù jiànprevent small problems from growingguard against the tiny and block the gradualIntermediatecautious and preventive 釜底抽薪fǔ dǐ chōu xīnremove the root causepull the firewood from under the cauldronIntermediatestrategic and decisive 风雨无阻fēng yǔ wú zǔkeep going despite obstacleswind and rain do not block the wayBeginnersteady and committed 瓜熟蒂落guā shú dì luòhappen naturally when conditions are ripewhen the melon is ripe, the stem fallsIntermediatepatient and reassuring 各得其所gè dé qí suǒeach in the right placeeach obtains its proper placeIntermediateorderly and approving 管窥蠡测guǎn kuī lí cèjudge from a narrow viewlook through a tube and measure with a small shellAdvancedself-limiting or critical 高山流水gāo shān liú shuǐdeep mutual understandinghigh mountains and flowing waterAdvancedadmiring and elegant 隔靴搔痒gé xuē sāo yǎngmiss the real pointscratch an itch through a bootIntermediatecritical and corrective 过犹不及guò yóu bù jítoo much is as bad as not enoughexcess is like insufficiencyIntermediatebalanced and corrective 狐假虎威hú jiǎ hǔ wēiborrow power to intimidatethe fox borrows the tiger's authorityBeginnercritical and exposing 鹤立鸡群hè lì jī qúnstand out from the crowda crane stands among chickensBeginneradmiring but comparative 囫囵吞枣hú lún tūn zǎoswallow without understandingswallow dates wholeIntermediatecritical but teachable 固若金汤gù ruò jīn tāngstrongly fortified or very securesolid like metal walls and boiling moatsIntermediateconfident and defensive 姑息养奸gū xī yǎng jiānto tolerate wrongdoing until it grows worseindulge and thereby nourish evilAdvancedstern and warning 汗牛充栋hàn niú chōng dònga huge quantity of books or written materialso many books they make oxen sweat and fill the houseLiterarydescriptive and learned 讳疾忌医huì jí jì yīto hide a problem and avoid correctionhide illness and avoid the doctorIntermediatecritical and cautionary 见微知著jiàn wēi zhī zhùto infer the larger trend from small signssee the tiny and know the obvious larger thingAdvancedobservant and approving 集思广益jí sī guǎng yìto gather ideas for broader benefitcollect thoughts and broaden benefitIntermediatecollaborative and approving 金石良言jīn shí liáng yánvaluable and reliable advicegood words like gold and stoneIntermediategrateful and respectful 集腋成裘jí yè chéng qiúsmall contributions accumulate into something valuablecollect small fur pieces to make a robeAdvancedpatient and encouraging 举重若轻jǔ zhòng ruò qīngto handle a difficult matter with easelift something heavy as if it were lightIntermediateadmiring 精卫填海jīng wèi tián hǎidetermined persistence against a huge taskJingwei fills the seaLiterarysolemn and determined 见贤思齐jiàn xián sī qíto learn from worthy peoplesee the worthy and think of becoming equalIntermediateself-improving and respectful 口蜜腹剑kǒu mì fù jiànsweet words hiding harmful intenthoney in the mouth, sword in the bellyAdvancedsharp and suspicious 夸夸其谈kuā kuā qí tánto talk boastfully and emptilyboast and boast in talkBeginnerdismissive 口是心非kǒu shì xīn fēito say yes while thinking otherwisethe mouth says yes, the heart says noBeginnercritical or observant 苦尽甘来kǔ jìn gān láihardship ends and good times arrivebitterness ends, sweetness comesBeginnercomforting and hopeful 滥竽充数làn yú chōng shùto pass off inferior ability by hiding in a groupplay the yu indiscriminately to fill the numberIntermediatecritical 老马识途lǎo mǎ shí túexperienced people know the wayan old horse knows the roadIntermediateapproving and practical 李代桃僵lǐ dài táo jiāngone thing or person suffers in place of anotherthe plum tree withers in place of the peach treeLiteraryanalytical or regretful 两全其美liǎng quán qí měito satisfy both sides or achieve two good outcomesboth are complete in their goodnessBeginnerpositive and practical 临渴掘井lín kě jué jǐngto start preparing only after the need becomes urgentdig a well only when thirstyIntermediatecritical and cautionary 临渊羡鱼lín yuān xiàn yúto wish for results without taking practical actionstand by the deep water and envy the fishIntermediateadmonishing 瞒天过海mán tiān guò hǎito deceive by hiding a major action in plain sighthide from the sky and cross the seaLiterarycritical or tactical 门可罗雀mén kě luó quèso deserted that sparrows could be trapped at the doorthe doorway is quiet enough to set a net for sparrowsIntermediatedescriptive with decline 妙笔生花miào bǐ shēng huābrilliant writing that brings language to lifea wonderful brush gives birth to flowersIntermediateadmiring 明察秋毫míng chá qiū háoto observe even the smallest details clearlyclearly inspect autumn downLiteraryadmiring and precise 借花献佛jie hua xian foto offer a favor using something borrowedborrow flowers to offer to BuddhaIntermediatemodest or lightly self-aware 聚沙成塔ju sha cheng tasmall pieces accumulate into something largegather sand to form a towerBeginnerencouraging 开诚布公kai cheng bu gongto speak openly and sincerelyopen sincerity and lay it out publiclyIntermediatepositive and trust-building 口若悬河kou ruo xuan heto speak fluently and at lengththe mouth is like a hanging riverIntermediateadmiring or mildly critical by context 空城计kong cheng jithe empty-city bluffempty city strategyLiteraryclever but risky 柳暗花明liu an hua minga new hopeful turn appears after difficultywillows darken, flowers brightenIntermediatehopeful and reflective 两虎相争liang hu xiang zhengtwo strong sides fight each othertwo tigers contendIntermediatecautionary and analytical 临危不惧lin wei bu juto stay unafraid in dangerface danger without fearIntermediateadmiring 逆水行舟ni shui xing zhouto row against the currentmove a boat against the waterIntermediateserious and encouraging 囊萤映雪nang ying ying xueto study diligently despite hardshipbag fireflies and read by reflected snowLiteraryadmiring and solemn