Listen to this articleguān qǐlái dă luó – míng shēng zài wài
关起门来打锣 – 名声在外
Close the door to beat gongs – be well-known
hán dōng là yuè de mă fēng wō – kōng kōng dòng dòng
寒冬腊月的马蜂窝 – 空空洞洞
A hornet’s nest in severe winter – empty; hollow; devoid of substance
hăo mă zāo biān dă – rěn rŭ fù zhòng
好马遭鞭打 – 忍辱负重
A hardworking horse is whipped – show great fortitude under humiliating circumstances
hòu bàn yè zuò měi mèng – hăo jĭng bù cháng
后半夜做美梦 – 好景不长
Have a beautiful dream after midnight – good times don’t last long; pleasant hours fly fast
gŭ dŏng diàn lăo băn – yăn lĭshì huò
古董店老板 – 眼里识货
An antique shopkeeper – a person who knows what is what; a knowledgeable person
guān yīn pú sà xià dú shŏu – miàn shàn xīn bù shàn
观音菩萨下毒手 – 面善心不善
Guanyin, goddess of mercy, lays murderous hands – have a merciful face but a wolfish heart
qián táng jiāng zhăng cháo – dà qĭdà luò
钱塘江涨潮 – 大起大落
The Qiantang River tides are on the flow – great ups and downs; sharp rise and fall
qián yŏu qiáng dí hòu yŏu zhuī bīng – jìn tuì liăng nán
前有强敌后有追兵 – 进退两难
There are intercepting troops in front and pursuing troops behind – find it difficult to advance or retreat; be in a dilemma
