一板一眼
yī bǎn yī yǎn
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1 lit. one strong beat and one weak beats in a measure of music (two beats in the bar) (idiom); fig. follow a prescribed pattern to the letter
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2 scrupulous attention to detail
一板三眼
yī bǎn sān yǎn
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1 lit. one strong beat and three weak beats in a measure of music (four beats in the bar) (idiom); fig. scrupulous attention to detail
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
任贤使能
rèn xián shǐ néng
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1 to appoint the virtuous and use the able (idiom); appointment on the basis of ability and integrity
倘能如此
tǎng néng rú cǐ
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1 if it is possible (idiom)
力所能及
lì suǒ néng jí
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1 as far as one's capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one's ability
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2 within one's powers
各尽所能
gè jìn suǒ néng
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1 each does his utmost (idiom)
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2 from each according to his means
天下太平
tiān xià tài píng
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1 the whole world at peace (idiom); peace and prosperity
太公钓鱼，愿者上钩
tài gōng diào yú , yuàn zhě shàng gōu
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1 Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want take the hook (idiom, refers to early sage 姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water); to put one's head in the noose
太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
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1 peace and prosperity (idiom)
太阳从西边出来
tài yáng cóng xī biān chū lái
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1 lit. the sun rises in the west (idiom)
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2 fig. hell freezes over
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3 pigs can fly
妒能害贤
dù néng hài xián
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1 jealous of the able, envious of the clever (idiom)
妒贤忌能
dù xián jì néng
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1 to envy the virtuous and talented (idiom)
姜太公钓鱼，愿者上钩
Jiāng tài gōng diào yú , yuàn zhě shàng gōu
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1 Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want it, take the hook (idiom, refers to early sage 姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water); to put one's head in the noose
德薄能鲜
dé bó néng xiǎn
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1 little virtue and meager abilities (idiom); I'm a humble person and not much use at anything (Song writer Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修)
爱莫能助
ài mò néng zhù
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1 unable to help however much one would like to (idiom); Although we sympathize, there is no way to help you.
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2 My hands are tied.
推贤让能
tuī xián ràng néng
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1 to cede to the virtuous and yield to the talented (idiom)
有钱能使鬼推磨
yǒu qián néng shǐ guǐ tuī mò
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1 lit. money will make the Devil turn millstones (idiom)
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2 fig. with money, you can do anything you like
未能免俗
wèi néng miǎn sú
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1 unable to break the custom (idiom)
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2 bound by conventions
欲罢不能
yù bà bù néng
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1 want to stop but can't (idiom)
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2 to be unable to stop oneself
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3 to feel an urge to continue