见风使舵

Jiàn fēng shǐ duò

“See how the cat jumps.” In other words, wait until one understands what is happening/has happened before acting, in order to avoid rash action.

I discovered this meaning through one of my first attempts at self-initiated conversation with my father in law. I’m glad my wife was there, as at that time no Chinese people could understand my “Chinese”! I was trying to ask him whether there was a Chinese-Idiom equivalent to “See how the cat jumps/Sway with the breeze”.

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Tags: 使, 舵, 见, 风

白面书生

Bái miàn shū shēng

This idiom literally means “White faced scholar”.

It is used to refer to someone who spends most, if not all, his time studying inside.

It can also refer to one who has little or no practical experience. It is often used in praise, so I’m told.

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Tags: 书, 生, 白, 面