不由自主
bù yóu zì zhǔ
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1 can't help; involuntarily (idiom)
任贤使能
rèn xián shǐ néng
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1 to appoint the virtuous and use the able (idiom); appointment on the basis of ability and integrity
两国相争,不斩来使
liǎng guó xiāng zhēng , bù zhǎn lái shǐ
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1 when two kingdoms are at war, they don't execute envoys (idiom)
六神无主
liù shén wú zhǔ
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1 out of one's wits (idiom)
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2 distracted
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3 stunned
冤有头,债有主
yuān yǒu tóu , zhài yǒu zhǔ
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1 for every grievance someone is responsible, for every debt there is a debtor (idiom)
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2 when settling disputes one should not involve third parties
反客为主
fǎn kè wéi zhǔ
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1 lit. the guest acts as host (idiom); fig. to turn from passive to active behavior
名花有主
míng huā yǒu zhǔ
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1 the girl is already taken (idiom)
喧宾夺主
xuān bīn duó zhǔ
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1 lit. the voice of the guest overwhelms that of the host (idiom)
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2 fig. a minor player upstages the main attraction
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3 minor details obscure the main point
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4 the sauce is better than the fish
如臂使指
rú bì shǐ zhǐ
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1 as the arm moves the finger (idiom)
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2 freely and effortlessly
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3 to have perfect command of
打狗还得看主人
dǎ gǒu hái děi kàn zhǔ rén
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1 lit. when one beats a dog, one must answer to its master (idiom)
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2 fig. before punishing sb, one should consider how that would affect others associated with him
有钱能使鬼推磨
yǒu qián néng shǐ guǐ tuī mò
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1 lit. money will make the Devil turn millstones (idiom)
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2 fig. with money, you can do anything you like
物各有主
wù gè yǒu zhǔ
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1 everything has a rightful owner (idiom)
独立自主
dú lì zì zhǔ
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1 independent and autonomous (idiom); self-determination
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2 to act independently
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3 to maintain control over one's own affairs
当家作主
dāng jiā zuò zhǔ
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1 to be in charge in one's own house (idiom)
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2 to be the master of one's own affairs
神差鬼使
shén chāi guǐ shǐ
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1 the work of gods and devils (idiom); unexplained event crying out for a supernatural explanation
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2 curious coincidence
自作主张
zì zuò zhǔ zhāng
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1 to think for oneself and act accordingly (idiom); to act on one's own initiative
见风使帆
jiàn fēng shǐ fān
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1 lit. see the wind and set your sails (idiom); fig. to act pragmatically
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2 to be flexible and take advantage of the situation
见风使舵
jiàn fēng shǐ duò
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1 lit. see the wind and set the helm (idiom); fig. to act pragmatically
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2 to be flexible and take advantage of the situation
颐指气使
yí zhǐ qì shǐ
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1 lit. to order people by pointing the chin (idiom); to signal orders by facial gesture
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2 arrogant and bossy
颐指风使
yí zhǐ fēng shǐ
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1 lit. to order people by pointing the chin (idiom); to signal orders by facial gesture
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2 arrogant and bossy