Animal Related
马马虎虎
mǎmǎhǔhǔ
horse horse tiger tiger
Something that’s just passable or mediocre
指鹿為馬
zhǐ lù wéi mǎ
call a deer a horse
To deliberately misrepresent something
废寝忘食
fèi qǐn wàng shí
to forget food and rest
Someone is hardworking
杯水车薪
bei shui che xin
Throw a cup of water on a burning cartload of wood
a feeble attempt
目不斜视
mùbùxiéshì
not look sideways
to be fully concentrated
狡兔三窟
jiǎotùsānkū
clever rabbit three burrows
It’s smart to have more than one plan or solution to a problem
井底之蛙
jǐng dǐ zhī wā
a frog in the bottom of the well
a person with limited world outlook
插翅难飞
cha chi nan fei
Unable to fly even with wings
There is no escape
藏龙卧虎
can long wo hu
Hidden dragons and crouching tigers
Undiscovered person of incredible talent or ability
琳琅满目
línláng-mǎnmù
glittering jewels to delight the eyes
a dazzling display
老马识途
lǎomǎshítú
old horse knows the way
An experienced person is reliable and knowledgeable in guiding others or handling familiar tasks
瓜田李下
guātián lǐxià
melon field, beneath the plums
the appearance of misconduct or impropriety
瓜田不納履，李下不整冠 （guā tián bù nà lǚ, lǐ xià bù zhěng guān）
东张西望
dōng zhāng xī wàng
to look east and west
To describe when someone is distracted.
众所周知
Zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī
"It is well known that..."
振聋发聩
zhènlóng-fākuì
so loud that even the deaf can hear
Moving, rousing even to those who are apathetic
画蛇添足
huàshétiānzú
draw snake add feet
Overdoing something can ruin the whole effort
言而無信
speaking, yet without trust
One who cannot be trusted, is a deceitful person.
加油添醋
Jim you tian cu
Add oil and vinegar
To embellish or exaggerate
前所未有
Qián suǒ wèi yǒu
Unprecedented, never happened before
天壤之别
tiānrǎngzhībié
as different as sky and earth
worlds apart, very different
蜀犬吠日
shuquan-feiri
dogs in Sichuan barking at the sun
Ignorant people are mesmerized by simple things.
醉翁之意不在酒
The Old Drunkard's attention is not directed towards his wine
Doing something with an ulterior motive in mind
剖腹藏珠
poi fu cani zhu
rip open the stomach to hide a pearl
Pay an enormous price for a gain
脱颖而出
Tuō yǐng’ér chū
Talent always comes to the forefront, it's difficult to keep a skill hidden.
灯红酒绿
dēnghóng-jiǔlǜ
lanterns red, wine green
feasting and pleasure seeking