见风使舵

jiàn fēng shǐ duò

See how the wind blows; See how the cat jumps

Keywords: cat wind flexible
Viewed 1662
Entered by faceleg on 2008-06-02

入乡随俗

rù xiāng suí sú

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Keywords: culture sensitive Rome
Viewed 1487
Entered by faceleg on 2008-06-02

对牛弹琴

duì niú tán qín

Literally: "to play the lute to a cow". Figuratively: offering a treat to a unappreciative audience; to cast pearls before swine; like talking to a brick; to preach to deaf ears.

对牛弹琴，牛不入耳，骂得很好，咱们一总再算账！（清·李当珍《镜花缘》第九十回）

Keywords: animals 牛 ox shared
Viewed 1462
Entered by faceleg on 2008-07-22

杀鸡吓猴

shā jī xià hóu

lit. killing the chicken to scare the monkey; to punish an individual as an example to others

Keywords: monkey animal animals chicken 杀 鸡 猴
Viewed 1386
Entered by faceleg on 2008-06-02

白面书生

bái miàn shū shēng

lit. pale-faced scholar / young and inexperienced person without practical experience

Keywords: nerd book learning scholar pale 学生 书
Viewed 1380
Entered by faceleg on 2008-06-02

饮水思源

yǐn shuǐ sī yuán

When drinking water, remember the source from where it originated; never forget the source of your happiness; don't forget the basics.

这也是他饮水思源的意思。（清·吴趼人《二十年目睹之怪现状》第七十八回）。

Keywords: 水 water remember
Viewed 1260
Entered by faceleg on 2008-06-07

健壮如牛

jiàn zhuàng rú niú

As strong as a ox

他健壮如牛。
He's as strong as an ox.

Keywords: animals 牛 ox
Viewed 1224
Entered by faceleg on 2008-07-08

螳臂当车

táng bì dāng chē

Literally: "A mantis raising its forelegs in a vain attempt to obstruct a chariot." Figuratively: Overrate the strength of oneself and try to accomplish something on e is not capable of.

谁知腹中虽离渊博尚远，那目空一切，旁若无人光景，却处处摆在脸上。可谓“～，自不量力。”（清·李汝珍《镜花缘》第十八回）

Keywords: animals 螳
Viewed 1184
Entered by faceleg on 2008-07-19

老牛破车

lǎo niú pò chē

Like an ox tugging at a broken-down cart; make slow progress.

要想完成这顶任务，就不能像～似的，要雷厉风行，说干就干。

Keywords: animals 牛 ox
Viewed 1183
Entered by faceleg on 2008-07-19

一贫如洗

yī pín rú xǐ

As poor as a Church mouse; penniless; utterly destitute

当时父亲赤手空拳出来做官，家里～。（邹韬奋《我的母亲》）

Keywords: poor animal destitute
Viewed 1168
Entered by faceleg on 2008-07-08