来鸿去燕
lái hóng qù yàn
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1 lit. the goose comes, the swallow goes (idiom); fig. always on the move
劳燕分飞
láo yàn fēn fēi
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1 the shrike and the swallow fly in different directions (idiom)
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2 (usually of a couple) to part from each other
吴头楚尾
Wú tóu Chǔ wěi
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1 lit. head in Wu and tail in Chu (idiom); fig. close together
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2 head-to-tail
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3 one thing starts where the other leaves off
宁做鸡头,不做凤尾
nìng zuò jī tóu , bù zuò fèng wěi
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1 lit. would rather be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail (idiom)
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2 fig. to prefer to be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond
尾大不掉
wěi dà bù diào
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1 large tail obstructs action (idiom); bottom heavy
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2 fig. rendered ineffective by subordinates
彻头彻尾
chè tóu chè wěi
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1 lit. from head to tail (idiom); thoroughgoing
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2 through and through
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3 out and out
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4 from top to bottom
摇头摆尾
yáo tóu bǎi wěi
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1 to nod one's head and wag one's tail (idiom)
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2 to be well pleased with oneself
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3 to have a lighthearted air
有头有尾
yǒu tóu yǒu wěi
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1 where there's a start, there's a finish (idiom); to finish once one starts sth
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2 to carry things through
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3 I started, so I'll finish.
有头无尾
yǒu tóu wú wěi
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1 to start but not finish (idiom); to fail to carry things through
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2 lack of sticking power
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3 short attention span
燕子衔泥垒大窝
yàn zi xián ní lěi dà wō
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1 the swallow's nest is built one beakful of mud at a time (idiom)
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2 many a little makes a mickle
燕雀安知鸿鹄之志
yàn què ān zhī hóng hú zhī zhì
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1 lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (idiom)
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2 fig. how can we small fry predict the ambitions of the great?
燕雀焉知鸿鹄之志
yàn què yān zhī hóng gǔ zhī zhì
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1 lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (idiom); fig. how can we small fry predict the ambitions of the great?
燕雀相贺
yàn què xiàng hè
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1 lit. sparrow and swallow's congratulation (idiom); fig. to congratulate sb on completion of a building project
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2 congratulations on your new house!
燕雀处堂
yàn què chù táng
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1 lit. a caged bird in a pavilion (idiom); fig. to lose vigilance by comfortable living
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2 unaware of the disasters ahead
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3 a fool's paradise
狐狸尾巴
hú li wěi ba
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1 lit. fox's tail (idiom); visible sign of evil intentions
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2 to reveal one's evil nature
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3 evidence that reveals the villain
狗尾续貂
gǒu wěi xù diāo
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1 lit. to use a dog's tail as a substitute for sable fur (idiom)
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2 fig. a worthless sequel to a masterpiece
畏首畏尾
wèi shǒu wèi wěi
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1 afraid of the head, terrified of the tail (idiom); ever fearful and nervous
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2 afraid of the slightest thing
破茧成蝶
pò jiǎn chéng dié
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1 lit. to break through a cocoon and turn into a butterfly (idiom)
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2 fig. to emerge strong after a period of struggle
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3 to get to a better place after going through difficult period
藏头露尾
cáng tóu lù wěi
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1 to hide the head and show the tail (idiom); to give a partial account
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2 half-truths
虎尾春冰
hǔ wěi chūn bīng
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1 lit. like stepping on a tiger's tail or spring ice (idiom)
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2 fig. extremely dangerous situation