1 complete change from the normal state (idiom); quite uncharacteristic
2 entirely outside the norm
3 out of character
一心二用
yī xīn èr yòng
1 to do two things at once (idiom)
2 to multitask
3 to divide one's attention
三纲五常
sān gāng wǔ cháng
1 three principles and five virtues (idiom)
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
1 human nature (idiom)
2 a behavior that is only natural
兵家常事
bīng jiā cháng shì
1 commonplace in military operations (idiom)
别有用心
bié yǒu yòng xīn
1 to have an ulterior motive (idiom)
别无他用
bié wú tā yòng
1 to have no other use or purpose (idiom)
刚愎自用
gāng bì zì yòng
1 obstinate and self-opinionated (idiom)
割鸡焉用牛刀
gē jī yān yòng niú dāo
1 lit. why use a pole-ax to slaughter a chicken? (idiom)
2 fig. to waste effort on a trifling matter
3 also written 殺雞焉用牛刀|杀鸡焉用牛刀[shā jī yān yòng niú dāo]
千里马常有,而伯乐不常有
qiān lǐ mǎ cháng yǒu , ér Bó Lè bù cháng yǒu
1 lit. there are many swift horses, but very few who can spot them (idiom)
2 fig. many have talent, but few can recognize talent when they see it
品学兼优
pǐn xué jiān yōu
1 excelling both in morals and studies (idiom); top marks for studies and for behavior (at school)
2 a paragon of virtue and learning
品头论足
pǐn tóu lùn zú
1 lit. to assess the head and discuss the feet (idiom); minute criticism of a woman's appearance
2 fig. to find fault in minor details
3 nitpicking
4 overcritical
大材小用
dà cái xiǎo yòng
1 using a talented person in an insignificant position (idiom)
2 a sledgehammer to crack a nut
宽打窄用
kuān dǎ zhǎi yòng
1 to give oneself leeway (idiom)
2 to allow room for error
感情用事
gǎn qíng yòng shì
1 to act impetuously (idiom); on an impulse
惯用语
guàn yòng yǔ
1 commonly used phrase
2 idiom
3 colloquial usage
法轮常转
Fǎ lún cháng zhuàn
1 the Wheel turns constantly (idiom); Buddhist teaching will overcome everything
无所用心
wú suǒ yòng xīn
1 not paying attention to anything (idiom); to idle time away
现学现用
xiàn xué xiàn yòng
1 to immediately put into practice something one has just learned (idiom)
用武之地
yòng wǔ zhī dì
1 ample scope for abilities
2 favorable position for the use of one's skills (idiom)