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
一醉方休
yī zuì fāng xiū
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1 to get thoroughly drunk (idiom)
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2 to get plastered
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
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
不患寡而患不均
bù huàn guǎ ér huàn bù jūn
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1 do not worry about scarcity, but rather about uneven distribution (idiom, from Analects)
来日方长
lái rì fāng cháng
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1 the future is long (idiom); there will be ample time for that later
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2 We'll cross that bridge when we get there
传播四方
chuán bō sì fāng
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1 to disseminate in every direction (idiom)
千方百计
qiān fāng bǎi jì
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1 lit. thousand ways, a hundred plans (idiom); by every possible means
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
外圆内方
wài yuán nèi fāng
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1 lit. outside-flexible, inside-firm (idiom)
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2 fig. velvet glove
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)