一衣带水be separated only by a narrow strip of water
上行下效subordinates follow the example of their superiors
仗义执言speak out from a sense of justice
出奇制胜defeat one's opponent by a surprise move
分庭抗礼stand up to somebody as an equal
咬文嚼字be excessively particular about wording
天花乱坠flowers cascading from the sky
如泣如诉like weeping out one's grievances
小家碧玉a pretty girl of humble birth
屡试不爽put to repeated tests and proved right
左右逢源be able to achieve success one way or another; gain advantage from both sides
意气用事be swayed by personal feelings
望其项背can see somebody's neck and back
望穿秋水keep looking for somebody or something till one's eyes are strained
深谋远虑be circumspect and far-sighted
爱莫能助willing to help but unable to do so
登堂入室pass through the hall into the inner chamber
白驹过隙a glimpse of a white colt flashing past a chink in a wall
皮开肉绽the skin torn and the flesh gaping
目光如炬eyes blazing with anger; looking ahead with wisdom
相敬如宾treat each other with the respect due to a guest
相见恨晚regret we didn't meet sooner
积重难返bad old practices die hard
空穴来风An empty hole invites the wind—weakness lends wings to rumours.
粉墨登场put on makeup and go on stage; enter the political arena
翻云覆雨be given to playing tricks
耳提面命pour exhortations into somebody's ear
萍水相逢meet by chance like patches of drifting duckweed
讳莫如深not breathe a word to a soul
贻笑大方expose oneself to ridicule
走江湖wander from place to place and earn a living by juggling, fortune-telling, etc.
走马观花cast only a passing glance at
过犹不及Too much is as bad as too little.
逼上梁山be driven to join the Liangshan rebels
间不容发not a hair's breadth apart
韬光养晦hide one's capacities and bide one's time
颐指气使order people about by facial expressions
高山流水high mountains and flowing waters; understanding friends
高朋满座a great gathering of honored friends/guests
以退为进make concessions in order to gain advantages
千呼万唤invite somebody time and again
峥嵘岁月crowded months and years of endeavor
遮天蔽日blot out the sky and the sun
扭转乾坤turn an unfavorable situation around
鼎力相助we are most grateful for your valuable assistance
有好戏看there is a good play to watch; a ridiculous or embarrassing outcome is expected
毕其功于一役accomplish the whole task at one go