一曝十寒expose something to sunheat for one day and to cold for ten days
一衣带水be separated only by a narrow strip of water
兵贵神速speed is what counts in war
博古通今be erudite and well-informed
唇亡齿寒as closely related as the lips and the teeth
囫囵吞枣read without understanding something
大义灭亲deliver one's relatives for punishment impartially in order to uphold justice
学富五车have a wealth of knowledge
学贯中西well versed in the learning of both Chinese and Western cultures
打擂台take part in a martial arts contes; take part in a contest
改天换地transform heaven and earth
有始无终start something but fail to carry it through
满腹经纶be profoundly learned and talented
照猫画虎draw a tiger with a cat as a model
牛刀小试a master hand's first small display
独木难支One log can’t prop up a tottering building.
知人善任place people where they can put their abilities into full play
笨鸟先飞Clumsy birds have to start flying early—the slow need to start early.
群龙无首a host of dragons without a head
老马识途an old horse knows the way
聚沙成塔Many a little makes a mickle.
腹背受敌be caught between two fires
调虎离山lure the tiger out of the mountain
集腋成裘collect bits of fur under the foxes' forelegs to make a robe
革故鼎新discard the old and introduce the new
风声鹤唳the sound of the wind and the cry of the stork
鹏程万里A roc can reach a destination of a myriad miles away at one jump -- have a bright future.
不胜其烦be pestered/bored beyond endurance
五谷丰登an abundant harvest of all crops
以身许国dedicate oneself to one's country
坐卧不安be unable to sit down or sleep at ease
妇孺皆知all women and children know
寝食不安be worried waking or sleeping
曲径通幽a winding path leading to seclusions
著作等身an author with many works to his credit
六畜兴旺The domestic animals are all thriving.
古木参天There are centuries-old trees reaching up towards the sky.
战火纷飞flames of war raging everywhere
浩气长存a noble spirit that will never perish
神态自若appear calm and composed at ease
纤尘不染not marred by a speck of dust; maintain one's original pure character
风月无边The wonders of natural beauty are boundless.
回天无力powerless to save a desperate situation
明月清风life of leisure away from the entanglements of the world
唯才是举recommend only those who are really talented
天道酬勤heaven rewards the diligent
水天相接sky and water merge at the horizon
一块石头落了地a stone fell to the ground
时间就是金钱time is money; time is valuable
良心被狗吃了one's heart is eaten by dogs; be cruel
一问三不知say "I don't know" to every question; not know a thing
二一添作五go fifty-fifty; share and share alike
有眼不识泰山entertain an angel unawares; fail to recognize someone of importance
生米煮成熟饭what's done can't be undone
一人做事一人当a man must bear the consequences of his own acts
一把钥匙开一把锁open different locks with different keys
众人拾柴火焰高when everybody adds fuel, the flames rise high
名师出高徒a great teacher produces brilliant students
好汉不吃眼前亏a wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are against him
没有不透风的墙walls have ears; everything will out somehow
纸包不住火fire cannot be wrapped up in paper; there is no concealing the truth