偷工减料
tōu gōng jiǎn liào
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1 to skimp on the job and stint on materials (idiom)
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2 jerry-building
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3 sloppy work
助一臂之力
zhù yī bì zhī lì
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1 to lend a helping hand (idiom)
助人为乐
zhù rén wéi lè
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1 pleasure from helping others (idiom)
助纣为虐
zhù Zhòu wéi nu:è
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1 lit. helping tyrant Zhou 商紂王|商纣王[Shāng Zhòu wáng] in his oppression (idiom)
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2 fig. to take the side of the evildoer
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3 giving succor to the enemy
各奔前程
gè bèn qián chéng
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1 each goes his own way (idiom); each person has his own life to lead
失道寡助
shī dào guǎ zhù
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1 an unjust cause finds little support (idiom, from Mencius)
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2 cf 得道多助[dé dào duō zhù] a just cause attracts much support
守望相助
shǒu wàng xiāng zhù
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1 to keep watch and defend one another (idiom, from Mencius); to join forces to defend against external aggressors
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2 mutual help and protection
工欲善其事,必先利其器
gōng yù shàn qí shì , bì xiān lì qí qì
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1 To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job
得道多助
dé dào duō zhù
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1 a just cause enjoys abundant support (idiom); those upholding justice will find help all around
得道多助,失道寡助
dé dào duō zhù , shī dào guǎ zhù
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1 A just cause attracts much support, an unjust one finds little (idiom, from Mencius)
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.
拔苗助长
bá miáo zhù zhǎng
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1 to spoil things through excessive enthusiasm (idiom)
推波助澜
tuī bō zhù lán
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1 to push the wave and add to the billows (idiom); to add momentum
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2 to encourage sth to get bigger
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3 to add fuel to the fire
异曲同工
yì qǔ tóng gōng
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1 different tunes played with equal skill (idiom)
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2 different methods leading to the same result
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3 different approach but equally satisfactory outcome
磨刀不误砍柴工
mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng
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1 lit. sharpening the axe won't make the wood-splitting take longer (idiom)
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2 fig. time invested in preparations is not lost
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3 a beard well lathered is half shaved
神工鬼斧
shén gōng guǐ fǔ
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1 supernaturally fine craft (idiom); the work of the Gods
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2 uncanny workmanship
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3 superlative craftsmanship
程门立雪
Chéng mén lì xuě
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1 lit. the snow piles up at Cheng Yi's door (idiom)
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2 fig. deep reverence for one's master
良工心苦
liáng gōng xīn kǔ
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1 expert craft from hard practice (idiom); hard-won skill
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2 A masterpiece demands suffering.
路见不平,拔刀相助
lù jiàn bù píng , bá dāo xiāng zhù
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1 lit. to intervene when one sees an injustice (idiom)
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2 fig. to rush to the rescue
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3 to play the white knight
马工枚速
Mǎ gōng Méi sù
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1 Sima Xiangru is meticulous and Mei Gao is fast (idiom)
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2 to each his good points