Chinese Idioms and Phrases : Part 3

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101. A Mantis trying to stop a Chariot (螳臂当车 táng ​bì​ dāng ​chē​)

Meaning: to overrate oneself and attempt the impossible

102. The Mantis stalks the Cicada, unaware of the Oriole behind (螳螂捕蝉,黄雀在后 tángláng bǔ chán, huángquè zài hòu)

Meaning: to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger

103. When the Sandpiper and the Clam fight each other, it's the Fisherman who benefits (鹬蚌相争,渔翁得利 yù bàng xiāngzhēng, yúwēng dé lì)

Meaning: said when a third party profits from the struggle of others; neighbors who fight each other will lose out to a mutual enemy

104. A Fire at the City Gates is also a Disaster to the Fish in the Pond (城门失火,殃及池鱼 chéngmén shīhuǒ yāngjí chí yú)

Meaning: a drastic action may unintentionally affect other people and harm innocent bystandersNote: The idea is that while the fish might appear to be safe from the fire outside... if the firefighters drain the pond-water to help put out the fire, then even the fish will suffer.

105. A Carp leaping through the Dragon Gate (鲤鱼跳龙门 lǐyú tiào lóngmén)

Meaning: to make a significant advancement after much effort; to undergo a great transformation 

106. Where Fish swim with Dragons (鱼龙混杂 yú lóng hùnzá)

Meaning: to encourage children to work hard like the fish swimming upstream and take a leap of faith, succeeding in life

107. Where Dragons and Snakes intermingle (龙蛇混杂 lóng shé hùnzá)

Meaning: a place with a mixture of both strong and weak (or good and bad) people

108. Even a Powerful Dragon cannot repress a Local Snake (强龙不压地头蛇 qiáng lóng bù yā dìtóushé )

Meaning: an outsider with great power/influence may not be a match for a gangster on his home turf

109. Paint a Dragon and Dot the Eyes (画龙点睛 huà lóng diǎn jīng)

Meaning: to add the vital finishing touch; the crucial point that brings the subject to life

110. Dragon returning to the Sea (龙归大海 lóng guī dàhǎi) (龙归沧海 lóng guī cānghǎi)

Meaning: in one's element; "like a fish back in water"

111. A Dragon among Men (人中之龙 rén zhōng zhī lóng)

Meaning: an exceptional and talented person who stands out among others

112. Crouching Tigers, Hidden Dragons (卧虎藏龙 wòhǔ cáng lóng)

Meaning: talented individuals in hiding; concealed talent

113. A Fight between a Dragon and a Tiger (龙争虎斗 lóng zhēng hǔ dòu)

Meaning: a fierce battle between two powerful opponents

114. Dragon's Pool and Tiger's Den (龙潭虎穴 lóngtán hǔxué)

Meaning: a very dangerous location

115. Paper Tiger (纸老虎 zhǐ lǎohǔ)

Meaning: something that seems fierce/threatening but is actually much weaker than it looks

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