不打不成器
bù dǎ bù chéng qì
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1 spare the rod and spoil the child (idiom)
大器晚成
dà qì wǎn chéng
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1 lit. it takes a long time to make a big pot (idiom); fig. a great talent matures slowly
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2 in the fullness of time a major figure will develop into a pillar of the state
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3 Rome wasn't built in a day
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
巧妇难为无米之炊
qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī
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1 The cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice (idiom); You won't get anywhere without equipment.
投鼠忌器
tóu shǔ jì qì
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1 lit. to refrain from shooting at the rat for fear of breaking the vases (idiom)
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2 to not act against an evil so as to prevent harm to innocents
欲善其事，必先利其器
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
米已成炊
mǐ yǐ chéng chuī
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1 lit. the rice has already been cooked (idiom)
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2 fig. what is done cannot be undone
薰莸不同器
xūn yóu bù tóng qì
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1 lit. fragrant herbs and foul herbs do not go into the same vessel (idiom)
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2 bad people and good people do not mix
藏器待时
cáng qì dài shí
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1 to conceal one's abilities and wait (idiom); to lie low and await the opportune moment
食玉炊桂
shí yù chuī guì
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1 food is more precious than jade and firewood more expensive than cassia (idiom)
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2 the cost of living is very high