Chinese Idioms

按部就班 (àn bù jiù bān)

Follow the proper procedures
1. 无论我们做什么事，如果能按部就班， 一步一步来， 总是比较稳当
2. 我们已按照计划，按部就班地完成了许多工作

百年树人 (bǎi nián shù rén)

Refers to training and education as a challenging lifelong process

百折不挠 (bǎi zhé bù náo)

undaunted by repeated setbacks

班门弄斧 (bān mén nòng fǔ)

To show off one's talent or skill before an expert

半途而废 ( bàn tú ér fèi )

to give up halfway; to leave something unfinished

杯弓蛇影 (bēi gōng shé yǐng)

extremely suspicious

不胜枚举 (bù shèng méi jǔ）

too numerous to count

不务正业 (bú wù zhèng yè)

not engaged in a proper job; has no concern for one's responsibilities

不翼而飞 (bù yì ér fēi)

to disappear without trace; to vanish all of a sudden

不自量力 (bù zì liàng lì)

overestimate one's own abilities

不耻下问 (bù chǐ xià wèn)

not be ashamed to ask and learn from one's subordinates

不可救药 (bù kě jiù yào)

incurable； hopeless

不劳而获 (bù láo ér huò)

Gain or profit without working for it

不知所措 (bù zhī suǒ cuò)

to be at a loss

长年累月 (cháng nián lěi yuè)

for months and years

持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng)

persevere

出人头地 (chū rén tóu dì)

stand out from the crowd; outstanding

粗制滥造 (cū zhì làn zào)

Slipshod ; Of poor quality

大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī)

unselfish; perfectly impartial

当仁不让 (dāng rén bú ràng)

initiative and responsible

得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò)

Taking one day at a time ; Not take things too seriously

得意忘形 (dé yì wàng xíng)

become dizzy with success

掉以轻心 (diào yǐ qīng xīn)

let one's guard down

东窗事发 (dōng chuāng shì fā)

Exposed or disclosure of a crime or plot

对症下药 (duì zhèng xià yào)

To get to the root of the problem, use the most effective solution

耳濡目染 (ěr rú mù rǎn)

influenced by what one frequently sees and hears

发人深省 (fā rén shēn xǐng)

Set people thinking; thought-provoking

发扬光大 (fā yáng guāng dà)

improve, enhance and develop further

防患未然 (fáng huàn wèi rán)

take preventive measures

废寝忘食 (fèi qǐn wàng shí)

Be very absorbed and engrossed in one's work or study

奉公守法 (fèng gōng shǒu fǎ)

be law-abiding

敷衍塞责 (fū yǎn sè zé）

Be unconcerned and careless

改过自新 (gǎi guò zì xīn)

turn over a new leaf

改邪归正 (gǎi xié guī zhèng)

turn over a new leaf

根深蒂固 (gēn shēn dì gù)

Deep rooted, well established

寡不敌众 (guǎ bù dí zhòng)

be outnumbered and hence unable to defend effectively

光明正大 (guāng míng zhèng dà)

With nothing to hide

海底捞针 (hǎi dǐ lāo zhēn)

Extremely bleak chance

害群之马 (hài qún zhī mǎ)

One who brings disgrace upon his group

好逸恶劳 (hào yì wù láo)

love to enjoy but hate to work for it

狐假虎威 (hú jiǎ hǔ wēi)

bully others by flaunting one's powerful connections

胡作非为 (hú zuò fēi wéi)

act in defiance of the law or immorally

花言巧语 (huā yán qiǎo yǔ)

sweet talk

画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú)

adding unnecessary details

家喻户晓 (jiā yù hù xiǎo)

widely known

见义勇为 (jiàn yì yǒng wéi)

Ready to do or take on anything for a just cause

金科玉律 (jīn kē yù lǜ)

rigid set of rules and principles

金玉良言 (jīn yù liáng yán)

invaluable advice

进退维谷 (jìn tuì wéi gǔ）

In a dilemma

惊弓之鸟 (jīng gōng zhī niǎo)

a badly shaken person

井井有条 (jǐng jǐng yǒu tiáo)

in perfect order

居安思危 (jū ān sī wēi)

To be prepared and alert even in peaceful times

口若悬河 (kǒu ruò xuán hé)

to speak skillfully

口是心非 (kǒu shì xīn fēi)

say one thing, mean another

苦口婆心 (kǔ kǒu pó xīn)

Advise earnestly and repeatedly

滥竽充数 (làn yú chōng shù)

pretend or try to be what one is not

老马识途 (lǎo mǎ shí tú)

experienced and know the ropes

礼尚往来 (lǐ shàng wǎng lái)

Courtesy demands reciprocity

理直气壮 (lí zhí qì zhuǎng)

To speak, act, etc. boldy and with confidence

力不从心 (lì bù cóng xīn)

Unable to do as much as one desires

良药苦口 (liáng yào kǔ kǒu)

Harsh but valuable advice

了如指掌 (liǎo rú zhǐ zhǎng)

Be very familiar with something; know something like the palm of one's hand

炉火纯青 (lú huǒ chún qīng)

having attained a high degree of proficiency

路不拾遗 (lù bù shí yí)

Of high moral standards

落花流水 (luò huā liú shuǐ)

completely defeated

门可罗雀 (mén kě luó què)

deserted; without visitors

面目全非 (miàn mù quán fēi)

Completely changed

名列前茅 (ming lie qian mao)

Be among the best

名落孙山 (míng luò sūn shān)

fail, unsuccessful

目空一切 (mù kōng yī qiè)

High and mighty; condescending

逆水行舟 (nì shuǐ xíng zhōu）

To forge ahead steadily with determination

宁死不屈 (nìng sǐ bù qū)

To prefer death to disgrace

拍案叫绝 (pāi àn jiào jué)

show great admiration and approval

潜移默化 (qián yí mò huà)

to change and influence gradually over a period of time

青红皂白 (qīng hóng zào bái)

Truth of the matter

情同手足 (qíng tóng shǒu zú)

refers to a deep and true relationship or friendship

人云亦云 (rén yún yì yún)

echo the views of others

三思而行 (sān sī ér xíng)

think thrice before you act

伤天害理 (shāng tiān hài lǐ)

vicious; cruel

舍己为人 (shě jǐ wèi rén)

sacrifice one's own interest for the sake of others

实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì)

be practical and realistic

事半功倍 (shì bàn gōng bèi)

Using minimal effort to obtain the desired results

视死如归 (shì sǐ rú guī)

Face death fearlessly

守望相助 (shǒu wàng xiāng zhù)

keep watch and help defend each other

守株待兔 (shǒu zhū dài tù）

Rely on chance and windfalls instead of one's own efforts

熟能生巧 (shú néng shēng qiǎo)

practice makes perfect

水落石出 (shuǐ luò shí chū)

The truth comes to light

司空见惯 (sī kōng jiàn guàn)

A common sight or occurence

天渊之别 (tiān yuān zhī bié)

a world of difference

同甘共苦 (tóng gān gòng kǔ)

To stick together through thick and thin

同心协力 (tóng xīn xié lì)

Work together in full cooperation

徒劳无功 (tú láo wú gōng)

work to no avail

望尘莫及 (wàng chén mò jí)

too far behind to catch up

忘恩负义 (wàng ēn fù yì)

ungrateful

为非作歹 (wéi fēi zuò dǎi)

Do evil; commit crimes

温故知新 (wēn gù zhī xīn)

Gain new insights by re-examining material previously learnt

无微不至 (wú wēi bú zhì)

Be meticulous and thoughtful

心猿意马 (xīn yuán yì mǎ)

Be restless and fidgety

幸灾乐祸 (xìng zāi lè huò)

Derive pleasure from the misfortune of others

袖手旁观 (xiù shôu páng guān)

Look on with no intention to interfere or help