偷工减料
tōu gōng jiǎn liào
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1 to skimp on the job and stint on materials (idiom)
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2 jerry-building
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3 sloppy work
工欲善其事,必先利其器
gōng yù shàn qí shì , bì xiān lì qí qì
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1 To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job
巴前算后
bā qián suàn hòu
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1 thinking and pondering (idiom); to turn sth over in one's mind
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2 to consider repeatedly
打小算盘
dǎ xiǎo suàn pán
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1 lit. to count on a narrow abacus (idiom); petty and scheming selfishly
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2 concerned with petty interests
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3 selfish and uncaring of the interests of others
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4 bean counter
满打满算
mǎn dǎ mǎn suàn
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1 taking everything into account (idiom)
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2 when all is said and done
异曲同工
yì qǔ tóng gōng
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1 different tunes played with equal skill (idiom)
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2 different methods leading to the same result
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3 different approach but equally satisfactory outcome
磨刀不误砍柴工
mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng
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1 lit. sharpening the axe won't make the wood-splitting take longer (idiom)
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2 fig. time invested in preparations is not lost
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3 a beard well lathered is half shaved
神工鬼斧
shén gōng guǐ fǔ
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1 supernaturally fine craft (idiom); the work of the Gods
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2 uncanny workmanship
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3 superlative craftsmanship
神机妙算
shén jī miào suàn
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1 divine strategy and wonderful planning (idiom)
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2 clever scheme
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3 supremely clever in his schemes
秋后算帐
qiū hòu suàn zhàng
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1 lit. settling accounts after the autumn harvest (idiom); to wait until the time is ripe to settle accounts
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2 to bide time for revenge
秋后算账
qiū hòu suàn zhàng
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1 lit. to settle accounts after autumn
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2 settle scores at an opportune moment (idiom)
精打细算
jīng dǎ xì suàn
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1 meticulous planning and careful accounting (idiom)
老谋深算
lǎo móu shēn suàn
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1 rigorous schemes and deep foresight (idiom); astute and circumspect
胸有成算
xiōng yǒu chéng suàn
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1 the hero has plans already laid (idiom); to have plans ready in advance
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2 forewarned is forearmed
能写善算
néng xiě shàn suàn
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1 to be literate and numerate (idiom)
良工心苦
liáng gōng xīn kǔ
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1 expert craft from hard practice (idiom); hard-won skill
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2 A masterpiece demands suffering.
亲兄弟,明算帐
qīn xiōng dì , míng suàn zhàng
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1 even with your own brother, keep clear accounts (idiom)
马工枚速
Mǎ gōng Méi sù
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1 Sima Xiangru is meticulous and Mei Gao is fast (idiom)
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2 to each his good points
鬼斧神工
guǐ fǔ shén gōng
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1 supernaturally fine craft (idiom); the work of the Gods
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2 uncanny workmanship
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3 superlative craftsmanship