一波未平,一波又起
yī bō wèi píng , yī bō yòu qǐ
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1 before the first wave subsides, a new wave rises (idiom); a new problem arises before the old is solved
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2 many twists and turns to a story
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3 one thing after another
一碗水端平
yī wǎn shuǐ duān píng
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1 lit. to hold a bowl of water level (idiom)
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2 fig. to be impartial
一醉方休
yī zuì fāng xiū
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1 to get thoroughly drunk (idiom)
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2 to get plastered
一马平川
yī mǎ píng chuān
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1 flat land one could gallop straight across (idiom); wide expanse of flat country
不以规矩,不能成方圆
bù yǐ guī ju , bù néng chéng fāng yuán
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1 without rules, nothing can be done (idiom, from Mencius); one must follow some rules
来日方长
lái rì fāng cháng
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1 the future is long (idiom); there will be ample time for that later
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2 We'll cross that bridge when we get there
传播四方
chuán bō sì fāng
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1 to disseminate in every direction (idiom)
冰冻三尺,非一日之寒
bīng dòng sān chǐ , fēi yī rì zhī hán
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1 three feet of ice does not form in a single day (idiom); Rome wasn't built in a day
千方百计
qiān fāng bǎi jì
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1 lit. thousand ways, a hundred plans (idiom); by every possible means
含英咀华
hán yīng jǔ huá
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1 to savor fine writing (idiom)
咫尺天涯
zhǐ chǐ tiān yá
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1 so close, yet worlds apart (idiom)
四平八稳
sì píng bā wěn
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1 everything steady and stable (idiom); overcautious and unimaginary
四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
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1 lit. all four oceans are peaceful
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2 worldwide peace (idiom)
坎坷不平
kǎn kě bù píng
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1 potholed and bumpy road (idiom); fig. full of disappointment and dashed hopes
垂涎三尺
chuí xián sān chǐ
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1 to drool (over) (idiom)
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2 to yearn for
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3 to covet
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4 to crave
外圆内方
wài yuán nèi fāng
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1 lit. outside-flexible, inside-firm (idiom)
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2 fig. velvet glove
天下太平
tiān xià tài píng
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1 the whole world at peace (idiom); peace and prosperity
天妒英才
tiān dù yīng cái
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1 heaven is jealous of heroic genius (idiom); the great have great hardship to contend with
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2 those whom the Gods love die young
太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
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1 peace and prosperity (idiom)
平地起家
píng dì qǐ jiā
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1 to start from scratch (idiom)