不以规矩,不能成方圆
bù yǐ guī ju , bù néng chéng fāng yuán
-
1 without rules, nothing can be done (idiom, from Mencius); one must follow some rules
不可理喻
bù kě lǐ yù
-
1 to be impervious to reason (idiom)
-
2 unreasonable
不成功便成仁
bù chéng gōng biàn chéng rén
-
1 to succeed or die trying (idiom)
不明事理
bù míng shì lǐ
-
1 not understanding things (idiom); devoid of sense
不求有功,但求无过
bù qiú yǒu gōng , dàn qiú wú guò
-
1 lit. not aiming to achieve the best possible result, but rather trying to avoid making mistakes (idiom)
-
2 fig. to take a risk-averse approach
不理不睬
bù lǐ bù cǎi
-
1 to completely ignore (idiom)
-
2 to pay no attention to
-
3 not to be in the least concerned about
事半功倍
shì bàn gōng bèi
-
1 half the work, twice the effect (idiom); the right approach saves effort and leads to better results
-
2 a stitch in time saves nine
任贤使能
rèn xián shǐ néng
-
1 to appoint the virtuous and use the able (idiom); appointment on the basis of ability and integrity
倘能如此
tǎng néng rú cǐ
-
1 if it is possible (idiom)
伤天害理
shāng tiān hài lǐ
-
1 to offend Heaven and reason (idiom); bloody atrocities that cry to heaven
-
2 outrageous acts
入情入理
rù qíng rù lǐ
-
1 sensible and reasonable (idiom)
公说公有理,婆说婆有理
gōng shuō gōng yǒu lǐ , pó shuō pó yǒu lǐ
-
1 both sides claim they're right (idiom)
前功尽弃
qián gōng jìn qì
-
1 to waste all one's previous efforts (idiom)
-
2 all that has been achieved goes down the drain
力所能及
lì suǒ néng jí
-
1 as far as one's capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one's ability
-
2 within one's powers
功不可没
gōng bù kě mò
-
1 one's contributions cannot go unnoticed (idiom)
功到自然成
gōng dào zì rán chéng
-
1 effort will undoubtedly lead to success (idiom)
功名利禄
gōng míng lì lù
-
1 position and wealth (idiom); rank, fame and fortune
功完行满
gōng wán xíng mǎn
-
1 to fully achieve one's ambitions (idiom)
功德圆满
gōng dé yuán mǎn
-
1 virtuous achievements come to their successful conclusion (idiom)
功德无量
gōng dé wú liàng
-
1 no end of virtuous achievements (idiom); boundless beneficence