2 fig. to copy sth mechanically without attempt at originality
依葫芦画瓢
yī hú lu huà piáo
1 lit. to draw a dipper with a gourd as one's model (idiom)
2 fig. to follow the existing pattern without modification
儿孙自有儿孙福
ér sūn zì yǒu ér sūn fú
1 younger generations will do all right on their own (idiom)
八字还没一撇儿
bā zì hái méi yī piě r5
1 lit. there is not even the first stroke of the character 八 (idiom)
2 fig. things have not even begun to take shape
3 no sign of success yet
又要马儿跑，又要马儿不吃草
yòu yào mǎ r5 pǎo , yòu yào mǎ r5 bù chī cǎo
1 lit. you can't expect the horse to run fast but not let it graze (idiom)
2 fig. you can't have your cake and eat it, too
咬人狗儿不露齿
yǎo rén gǒu r5 bù lù chǐ
1 lit. the dog that bites does not show its fangs (idiom)
2 fig. You can't tell the really dangerous enemy from his external appearance.
指手画脚
zhǐ shǒu huà jiǎo
1 to gesticulate while talking (idiom)
2 to explain by waving one's hands
3 to criticize or give orders summarily
照葫芦画瓢
zhào hú lu huà piáo
1 lit. to draw a dipper with a gourd as a model (idiom)
2 fig. to copy slavishly
照猫画虎
zhào māo huà hǔ
1 lit. drawing a tiger using a cat as a model (idiom); fig. to follow a model and get things more or less right but without capturing the spirit of the subject
2 uninspired imitation
男儿有泪不轻弹
nán ér yǒu lèi bù qīng tán
1 real men do not easily cry (idiom)
画地为牢
huà dì wéi láo
1 lit. to be confined within a circle drawn on the ground (idiom)
2 fig. to confine oneself to a restricted range of activities
画地自限
huà dì zì xiàn
1 lit. to draw a line on the ground to keep within (idiom)
2 fig. to impose restrictions on oneself
画荻教子
huà dí jiào zǐ
1 to write on the sand with reeds while teaching one's son (idiom)
2 mother's admirable dedication to her children's education
画虎类犬
huà hǔ lèi quǎn
1 drawing a tiger like a dog (idiom); to make a fool of oneself by excessive ambition
画蛇添足
huà shé tiān zú
1 lit. draw legs on a snake (idiom); fig. to ruin the effect by adding sth superfluous
2 to overdo it
画饼充饥
huà bǐng chōng jī
1 lit. to allay one's hunger using a picture of a cake
2 to feed on illusions (idiom)
画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
1 to paint a dragon and dot in the eyes (idiom); fig. to add the vital finishing touch
2 the crucial point that brings the subject to life
3 a few words to clinch the point
看人下菜碟儿
kàn rén xià cài dié r5
1 (dialect) to treat sb according to their social status, relationship with them etc (idiom)
2 not to treat everyone equally favorably
视同儿戏
shì tóng ér xì
1 to regard sth as a plaything (idiom); to consider unimportant