一瓶子不响，半瓶子晃荡
yī píng zi bù xiǎng , bàn píng zi huàng dang
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1 lit. a full bottle makes no sound; a half-filled bottle sloshes (idiom)
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2 fig. empty vessels make the most noise
半瓶水响叮当
bàn píng shuǐ xiǎng dīng dāng
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1 lit. if you tap a half-empty bottle it makes a sound (idiom)
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2 fig. empty vessels make the most noise
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3 one who has a little knowledge likes to show off, but one who is truly knowledgeable is modest
塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
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1 lit. the old man lost his horse, but it all turned out for the best (idiom)
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2 fig. a blessing in disguise
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3 it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
塞翁失马安知非福
sài wēng shī mǎ ān zhī fēi fú
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1 the old man lost his mare, but it all turned out for the best (idiom); fig. a blessing in disguise
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2 it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
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3 also written 塞翁失馬焉知非福|塞翁失马焉知非福
塞翁失马焉知非福
sài wēng shī mǎ yān zhī fēi fú
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1 the old man lost his mare, but it all turned out for the best (idiom); fig. a blessing in disguise
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2 it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
守口如瓶
shǒu kǒu rú píng
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1 lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle (idiom); tight-lipped
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2 reticent
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3 not breathing a word
新瓶旧酒
xīn píng jiù jiǔ
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1 old wine in a new bottle (idiom)
新瓶装旧酒
xīn píng zhuāng jiù jiǔ
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1 old wine in a new bottle (idiom)
旧瓶装新酒
jiù píng zhuāng xīn jiǔ
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1 lit. new wine in old bottles; fig. new concepts in an old framework
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2 (loan idiom from Matthew 9:17, but fig. meaning is opposite)
茅塞顿开
máo sè dùn kāi
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1 murky darkness suddenly opens (idiom); a sudden flash of insight and all is clear
豺狼塞路
chái láng sāi lù
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1 ravenous wolves block the road (idiom); wicked people in power
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2 a vicious tyranny rules the land
闭塞眼睛捉麻雀
bì sè yǎn jīng zhuō má què
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1 lit. to catch sparrows blindfolded (idiom)
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2 fig. to act blindly
闭门塞窦
bì mén sè dòu
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1 to close doors and block openings (idiom); mounting a strict defense