一反常态
yī fǎn cháng tài
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1 complete change from the normal state (idiom); quite uncharacteristic
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2 entirely outside the norm
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3 out of character
一波未平,一波又起
yī bō wèi píng , yī bō yòu qǐ
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1 before the first wave subsides, a new wave rises (idiom); a new problem arises before the old is solved
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2 many twists and turns to a story
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3 one thing after another
一碗水端平
yī wǎn shuǐ duān píng
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1 lit. to hold a bowl of water level (idiom)
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2 fig. to be impartial
一马平川
yī mǎ píng chuān
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1 flat land one could gallop straight across (idiom); wide expanse of flat country
三纲五常
sān gāng wǔ cháng
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1 three principles and five virtues (idiom)
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2 the three rules (ruler guides subject, father guides son and husband guides wife) and five constant virtues of Confucianism (benevolence 仁, righteousness 義|义, propriety 禮|礼, wisdom 智 and fidelity 信)
人之常情
rén zhī cháng qíng
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1 human nature (idiom)
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2 a behavior that is only natural
兵家常事
bīng jiā cháng shì
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1 commonplace in military operations (idiom)
千里马常有,而伯乐不常有
qiān lǐ mǎ cháng yǒu , ér Bó Lè bù cháng yǒu
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1 lit. there are many swift horses, but very few who can spot them (idiom)
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2 fig. many have talent, but few can recognize talent when they see it
四平八稳
sì píng bā wěn
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1 everything steady and stable (idiom); overcautious and unimaginary
四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
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1 lit. all four oceans are peaceful
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2 worldwide peace (idiom)
坎坷不平
kǎn kě bù píng
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1 potholed and bumpy road (idiom); fig. full of disappointment and dashed hopes
天下太平
tiān xià tài píng
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1 the whole world at peace (idiom); peace and prosperity
太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
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1 peace and prosperity (idiom)
平地起家
píng dì qǐ jiā
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1 to start from scratch (idiom)
平易近人
píng yì jìn rén
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1 amiable and approachable (idiom); easy-going
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2 modest and unassuming
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3 (of writing) plain and simple
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4 easy to understand
平时不烧香,临时抱佛脚
píng shí bù shāo xiāng , lín shí bào fó jiǎo
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1 lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble
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2 doing things at the last minute
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3 to make a hasty last-minute effort (often refers to cramming for exams)
平淡无奇
píng dàn wú qí
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1 ordinary and mediocre (idiom); nothing to write home about
心平气和
xīn píng qì hé
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1 tranquil and even-tempered (idiom); calmly and without stress
抑郁不平
yì yù bù píng
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1 in a state of depression (idiom)