Chinese Idioms Flashcards
1
Q
爱不释手
A
愛不釋手 ài bú shì shǒu to fondle admiringly (lit. to love sth too much to part with it)
2
Q
爱憎分明
A
愛憎分明 ài zēng fēn míng to be clear about whom or what to love or hate
3
Q
按部就班
A
按部就班 àn bù jiù bān follow conventional procedures; in accordance with the prescribed order
4
Q
安居乐业
A
安居樂業 ān jū lè yè live in peace and work happily
5
Q
安然无恙
A
安然無恙 ān rán wú yàng to be in a good situation without any problem; usually pertaining to health
6
Q
按图索骥
A
按圖索驥 àn tú suǒ jì follow clues to locate sth. (lit. looking for a fine horse using only a picture)
7
Q
安土重迁
A
安土重遷 ān tǔ zhòng qiān hate to leave a place where one has lived long; be attached to one’s native land and reluctant to leave
8
Q
拔苗助长
A
拔苗助長 bá miáo zhù zhǎng spoil things by excessive zeal
9
Q
百步穿杨
A
百步穿楊 bǎi bù chuān yáng shoot with great precision
10
Q
白首偕老
A
白首偕老 bái shǒu xié lǎo grow old together (as in a couple)
11
Q
半斤八两
A
半斤八兩 bàn jīn bā liǎng much to choose between
12
Q
班门弄斧
A
班門弄斧 bān mén nòng fŭ show off one’s slight talent/skill before an expert
13
Q
半途而废
A
半途而廢 bàn tú ér fèi to give up halfway; to leave something unfinished
14
Q
杯弓蛇影
A
杯弓蛇影 bēi gōng shé yǐng be jittery; suffer from imaginary fears (lit. to see a bow reflected in a cup as a snake)
15
Q
背井离乡
A
背井離鄉 bèi jǐng lí xiāng be forced to leave one’s home (for a remote place)
16
Q
本末倒置
A
本末倒置 běn mò dào zhì confusing cause and effect; to reverse the primary and secondary tasks (lit. to invert root and branch)
17
Q
必不可少
A
必不可少 bì bù kě shǎo absolutely necessary
18
Q
闭门思过
A
閉門思過 bì mén sī guò shut oneself up and ponder one’s mistakes
19
Q
变化无常
A
變化無常 biàn huà wú cháng irregular; capricious
20
Q
别具一格
A
別具一格 bié jù yì gé to have a unique style; describes literature; art and architecture
21
Q
不加思索
A
不加思索 bù jiā sī suǒ to not think; to talk or act without thinking.
22
Q
不可救药
A
不可救藥 bù kě jiù yào irremediable; hopeless
23
Q
不可磨灭
A
不可磨滅 bù kě mó miè indelible
24
Q
不劳而获
A
不勞而獲 bù láo ér huò reap without sowing
25
不唯如此
不唯如此 bù wéi rú cǐ so is the case
26
不相上下
不相上下 bù xiāng shàng xià equally matched; about the same
27
不言儿喻
不言兒喻 bù yán ér yù obvious
28
不约而同
不約而同 bù yuē ér tóng a coincidence; taking the same action without prior consultation
29
不知所措
不知所措 bù zhī suǒ cuò not knowing what to do; refers to an awkward or confusing situation
30
不自量力
不自量力 bú zì liàng lì overrate one's own abilities
31
三言两语
三言兩語 cān yán liǎng yǔ just a few words
32
草木皆兵
草木皆兵 cǎo mù jiē bīng imaginary fears (lit. every tree or bush an enemy soldier)
33
参差不齐
參差不齊 cēn cī bù qí non-uniformity; non-standard
34
长驱
長驅 cháng qū make long drive; push deep
35
程门立雪
程門立雪 chéng mén lì xuě honor the teacher and respect his teachings
36
成千上万
成千上萬 chéng qiān shàng wàn a massive amount (lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands)
37
持之以恒
持之以恆 chí zhī yǐ héng persevere
38
出口成章
出口成章 chū kǒu chéng zhāng quick and clever talking; eloquent
39
出人头地
出人頭地 chū rén tóu dì stand out among one's fellows
40
传宗接代
傳宗接代 chuán zōnɡ jiē dài carry on the family name/line; produce a male heir to continue the family line; to carry on one's ancestral line
41
词不达意
詞不達意 cí bù dá yì the words fail to convey the idea - poorly expressed; senseless; inarticulate
42
寸步不离
寸步不離 cùn bù bù lí very close; inseparable; usually refers to two or more people
43
打草惊蛇
打草驚蛇 dǎ cǎo jīng shé inadvertently alert an enemy/opponent; punish sb. as a warning to others (lit. beat the grass to scare the snake)
44
大吃一惊
大吃一驚 dà chī yì jīng be greatly surprised
45
大海捞针
大海撈針 dà hǎi lāo zhēn hard to find; like finding a needle in a haystack (lit. to fish a needle from the sea)
46
大可不必
大可不必 dà kě bù bì need not; unnecessary
47
大器晚成
大器晚成 dà qì wǎn chéng great minds mature slowly; Rome wasn't built in a day (lit. it takes a long time to make a big pot)
48
大失所望
大失所望 dà shī suǒ wàng extremely disappointing
49
大同小异
大同小異 dà tóng xiǎo yì similar in essential aspects; different in minor details
50
大义灭亲
大義滅親 dà yì miè qīn uphold righteousness above one's family
51
得意忘形
得意忘形 dé yì wàng xíng carried away; beside oneself with joy
52
地大物博
地大物博 dì dà wù bó vast territory with abundant resources
53
丢三落四
丟三落四 diū sān là sì to be forgetful; scatterbrained
54
动人心弦
動人心弦 dòng rén xīn xián touching
55
东山再起
東山再起 dōng shān zài qǐ come back (lit. to return to office after living as a hermit on Mount Dongshan)
56
东施效颦
東施效顰 dōng shī xiào pín ludicrous attempt to imitate
57
独来独往
獨來獨往 dú lái dú wǎng be free and alone; come and go freely
58
独一无二
獨一無二 dú yī wú èr unlike any others; to be unique; one of a kind
59
对牛弹琴
對牛彈琴 duì niú tán qín cast pearls before swine; talk over sb.'s head
60
对症下药
對症下藥 duì zhèng xià yào suit one's methods to the situation (lit. to prescribe the right medicine for an illness)
61
多此一举
多此一舉 duō cǐ yì jǔ unnecessary; to do more than is required
62
多多益善
多多益善 duō duō yì shàn the more the better
63
尔虞我诈
爾虞我詐 ěr yú wǒ zhà deceive each other; engage in a battle of wits (lit. you hoodwink me and I cheat you)
64
反复推敲
反復推敲 fǎn fù tuī qiāo repeated scrutiny
65
丰富多彩
豐富多彩 fēng fù duō cǎi diverse; rich and varied; rich and colorful; varied; eventful
66
风和日丽
風和日麗 fēng hé rì lì gentle breeze and beautiful sun; describes the weather
67
风雨无阻
風雨無阻 fēng yǔ wú zǔ rain or shine
68
负荆请罪
負荊請罪 fù jīng qǐng zuì offer humble apologies (lit. to bring a bramble and ask for punishment)
69
赴汤蹈火
赴湯蹈火 fù tāng dǎo huǒ go through fire and water
70
高而忘私
高而忘私 gāo ér wàng sī put the group ahead of self
71
高山流水
高山流水 gāo shān liú shuǐ bosom friend; refined music
72
高枕无忧
高枕無憂 gāo zhěn wú yōu sit back and relax; sleep an untroubled sleep
73
各抒己见
各抒己見 gè shū jǐ jiàn a discussion where everyone has equal say
74
功败垂成
功敗垂成 gōng bài chuí chéng fail when on verge of success
75
邯郸学步
邯鄲學步 hán dān xué bù slavishly imitate others
76
和蔼可亲
和藹可親 hé ǎi kě qīn friendly and amicable; usually refers to an elderly person
77
互补长短
互補長短 hù bǔ cháng duǎn make up for each other's shortcomings
78
狐假虎威
狐假虎威 hú jiǎ hǔ wēi bully people by flaunting one's powerful connections (lit. the fox exploits the tiger's might)
79
囫囵吞枣
囫圇吞棗 hú lún tūn zǎo lap up information without digesting it
80
互助合作
互助合作 hù zhù hé zuò co-operative
81
画饼充饥
畫餅充飢 huà bǐng chōng jī feed on illusions (lit. to allay one's hunger using a picture of a cake)
82
画龙点睛
畫龍點睛 huà lóng diǎn jīng add touches that bring a work of art to life; add a word or two to clinch point
83
画蛇添足
畫蛇添足 huà shé tiān zú to overdo it (lit. draw legs on a snake)
84
黄粱美梦
黃粱美夢 huáng liáng měi mèng pipe dream; illusions of wealth and power (lit. dream of golden millet)
85
毁性伤情
毀性傷情 huǐ xìng shāng qíng hurting one's feelings deeply
86
火上加油
火上加油 huǒ shàng jiā yóu adding fuel to fire; to enrage people and make matters worse
87
记忆犹新
記憶猶新 jì yì yóu xīn to remain fresh is one's memory; remember vividly
88
健步如飞
健步如飛 jiàn bù rú fēi fleet footed (lit. running as fast as flying)
89
江郎才尽
江郎才盡 jiāng láng cái jìn have used up one's literary talent/energy
90
嗟来之食
嗟來之食 jiē lái zhī shí food rudely offered; grudging handout; help grudgingly
91
今非昔比
今非昔比 jīn fēi xī bǐ to see improvement in the present compared to the past (can be a fact or an opinion)
92
津津有味
津津有味 jīn jīn yǒu wèi relish; with gusto
93
金石为开
金石為開 jīn shí wéi kāi sincerity can make metal and stone crack
94
近水楼台
近水樓台 jìn shuǐ lóu tái waterfront pavilion; favorable position; point of vantage
95
井底之蛙
井底之蛙 jǐng dǐ zhī wā a person with a very limited outlook and experience; an ignorant person (lit. a frog in a well)
96
井井有条
井井有條 jǐng jǐng yǒu tiáo in perfect order; neat and tidy
97
举世无匹
舉世無匹 jǔ shì wú pī nothing can compare to this
98
举一反三
舉一反三 jǔ yī fǎn sān learn by analogy; to deduce many things from one case (lit. to raise one and infer three)
99
开诚布公
開誠布公 kāi chéng bù gōng speak frankly and sincerely (lit. deal sincerely and fairly)
100
开卷有益
開卷有益 kāi juàn yǒu yì the benefits of education (lit. opening a book is profitable)
101
开天辟地
開天闢地 kāi tiān pì dì creation of the world; since the beginning of time
102
刻舟求剑
刻舟求劍 kè zhōu qiú jiàn take measures without regard to changes in circumstances (lit. a notch on the side of a boat to locate a sword dropped overboard)
103
口是心非
口是心非 kǒu shì xīn fēi saying something that one does not mean (lit. mouth says yes, heart no)
104
口说无凭
口說無憑 kǒu shuō wú píng oral expressions can not be taken as evidence; words of mouth alone don't carry conviction
105
滥竽充数
濫竽充數 làn yú chōng shù fill a position just to make up the number (lit. to play the yú 竽 mouth organ to make up numbers)
106
狼狈为奸
狼狽為奸 láng bèi wéi jiān villains collude together; to work hand in glove with sb.
107
狼吞虎咽
狼吞虎嚥 láng tūn hŭ yàn to eat very quickly and ravenously
108
老马识途
老馬識途 lǎo mǎ shí tú an old hand is a good guide; an experienced worker knows what to do
109
乐不思蜀
樂不思蜀 lè bù sī shǔ indulge in pleasure and forget home and duty
110
乐此不疲
樂此不疲 lè cǐ bù pí to enjoy sth and never tire of it
111
乐观进取
樂觀進取 lè guān jìn qǔ be positive
112
力不从心
力不從心 lì bù cóng xīn the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak; not as strong as one would wish
113
两败俱伤
兩敗俱傷 liǎng bài jù shāng lose-lose; both sides suffer
114
两全其美
兩全其美 liǎng quán qí měi to the satisfaction of both parties; to have it both ways
115
漏网之鱼
漏網之魚 lòu wǎng zhī yú lucky survivor; fugitive; homeless exile (lit. fish that escaped the net)
116
屡见不鲜
屢見不鮮 lǚ jiàn bù xiān common occurrence; nothing new
117
乱七八糟
亂七八糟 luàn qī bā zāo in a mess; in terrible disorder
118
马到成功
馬到成功 mǎ dào chéng gōng instant success; beginner's luck
119
满城风雨
滿城風雨 mǎn chéng fēng yŭ talk of the town; a big scandal (lit. wind and rain through the town)
120
满载而归
滿載而歸 mǎn zài ér guī rewarding; to return from a rewarding journey
121
冒充内行
冒充內行 mào chōng nèi háng pretend to be an expert
122
没精打采
沒精打採 méi jīng dǎ cǎi to be listless or apathetic
123
美中不足
美中不足 měi zhōng bù zú having only one small flaw; everything is fine except for one small defect
124
门当户对
門當戶對 mén dāng hù duì families of equal standing; be well-matched in social and economic status (for marriage); good [marriage] match
125
门庭若市
門庭若市 mén tíng ruò shì much-visited house; the shop is doing booming business; the courtyard is like a fair
126
孟母三迁
孟母三遷 mèng mŭ sān qiān a wise mother would try to find a good environment for her children's best education.
127
面面俱到
面面俱到 miàn miàn jù dào cover everything
128
面目一新
面目一新 miàn mù yì xīn to change for the better; take on an entirely new look; take care of everything
129
妙语如珠
妙語如珠 miào yǔ rú zhū articulate (lit. smart words like a string of pearl)
130
名落孙山
名落孫山 míng luò sūn shān fail in a competitive/imperial examination
131
南辕北辙
南轅北轍 nán yuán běi zhé diametrically opposite; act at cross-purposes; be poles apart
132
囊萤夜读
囊螢夜讀 náng yíng yè dú reading by the light of fireflies
133
呕心沥血
嘔心瀝血 ǒu xīn lì xuè throw all one's energy into sth; to work one's heart out (lit. to spit out one's heart and spill blood)
134
抛砖引玉
拋磚引玉 pāo zhuān yǐn yù used to offer a humble remark before distinguished speech (lit. to throw a brick to attract jade)
135
鹏程万里
鵬程萬裡 péng chéng wàn lǐ have a bright future
136
飘忽无定
飄忽無定 piāo hū wú dìng someone who changes their mind a lot; someone who wanders around and is difficult to find
137
破釜沉舟
破釜沈舟 pò fŭ chén zhōu burn one's bridges
138
剖腹藏珠
剖腹藏珠 pōu fù cáng zhū die in pursuit of gain (lit. cutting one's stomach to hide a pearl)
139
扑朔迷离
撲朔迷離 pū shuò mí chī complicated and confusing; look both like a man and like a woman
140
奇耻大辱
奇恥大辱 qǐ chǐ dà rǔ outrageous shame and deep humiliation; a crying shame
141
歧路亡羊
歧路亡羊 qí lù wáng yáng go astray in a complex situation
142
杞人忧天
杞人憂天 qǐ rén yōu tiān groundless fears (lit. man of Qǐ fears the sky falling)
143
七上八下
七上八下 qī shàng bā xià uneasiness; in a mess
144
千差万别
千差萬別 qiān chā wàn bié unlike any other; different
145
千钧一发
千鈞一髮 qiān jūn yī fà in imminent peril; extremely delicate situation; extremely critical moment
146
黔驴技穷
黔驢技窮 qián lǘ jì qióng sb. who has exposed his limited ability; to exhaust one's limited abilities
147
千丝万缕
千絲萬縷 qiān sī wàn lǚ countless ties; a thousand and one links; interrelated in innumerable ways
148
千言万语
千言萬語 qiān yán wàn yǔ having much to say; talking nonstop
149
强词夺理
強詞奪理 qiáng zí duó lǐ lame arguments; to argue illogically (lit. powerful words devoid of sense)
150
青出于蓝
青出於藍 qīng chū yú lán surpass the master (lit. green is born of blue, but beats blue)
151
秋高气爽
秋高氣爽 qīu gāo qì shuǎng better weather; clear and refreshing autumn weather
152
人山人海
人山人海 rén shān rén hǎi huge crowds of people
153
日新月异
日新月異 rì xīn yuè yì to change very quickly; every day sees new developments
154
日益频繁
日益頻繁 rì yì pín fán increasingly common
155
如火如荼
如火如荼 rú huǒ rú tú magnificent; daunting and vigorous momentum (lit. white cogon flower like fire)
156
如鱼得水
如魚得水 rú yú dé shuǐ glad to be back in one's proper surroundings (lit. like a fish back in water)
157
孺子可教
孺子可教 rú zǐ kě jiāo this child is teachable
158
三顾茅庐
三顧茅廬 sān gù máo lú repeatedly request sb. to take up a responsible post; earnestly seek the services of able and virtuous people
159
三心二意
三心二意 sān xīn èr yì half-hearted
160
山明水秀
山明水秀 shān míng shuǐ xìu picturesque
161
事半功倍
事半功倍 shì bàn gōng bèi more with less; half the work, twice the effect
162
事倍功半
事倍功半 shì bèi gōng bàn twice the effort for half the result
163
十拿九稳
十拿九穩 shí ná jiŭ wěn very likely to happen; success within reach; extremely certain
164
十全十美
十全十美 shí quán shí měi to be completely perfect; flawless; to be perfect
165
世外桃源
世外桃源 shì wài táo yuán haven of peace; utopia
166
十之八九
十之八九 shí zhī bā jiǔ most likely (lit. in eight or nine cases out of ten)
167
手足情深
手足情深 shǒu zú qín shūn brotherhood
168
熟能生巧
熟能生巧 shú néng shēng qiǎo skill comes from practice; with familiarity you learn the trick
169
数一数二
數一數二 shǔ yī shǔ èr one of the best; outstanding
170
水滴石穿
水滴石穿 shuǐ dī shí chuān constant perseverance yields success (lit. dripping water penetrates the stone)
171
水土不服
水土不服 shuǐ tǔ bù fú unaccustomed to a place; not acclimatized
172
死灰复燃
死灰復燃 sǐ huī fù rán resurgence; revival (lit. ashes burn once more)
173
四面楚歌
四面楚歌 sì miàn chŭ gē be besieged on all sides and without help (lit. on all sides, the songs of Chu)
174
似是而非
似是而非 sì shì ér fēi appeared right but actually was wrong
175
四通八达
四通八達 sì tōng bā dá extend in all directions; connected to all parts of the world
176
私心窃喜
私心竊喜 sī xīn qiè xǐ secretly happy 私心=selfish and self-indulgent; 窃= surreptitiously; 喜=happy; celebratory
177
叹为观止
嘆為觀止 tàn wéi guān zhǐ acclaim sth. as the acme of perfection; to gasp in amazement
178
谈笑自若
談笑自若 tán xiào zì ruò go on talking and laughing as if nothing had happened; be cheerful and composed (in face of danger)
179
螳螂捕蝉
螳螂捕蟬 táng láng bŭ chán be unaware of impending danger; to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger
180
讨价还价
討價還價 tǎo jià huán jià bargain; haggle over a price
181
田园之乐
田園之樂 tián yuán zhī lè heavenly happiness
182
同舟共济
同舟共濟 tóng zhōu gòng jì to get through a time of difficulty by settle one's difference and working together
183
投笔从戎
投筆從戎 tóu bǐ cóng róng renounce the pen for the sword; join the military service (esp. of educated person)
184
土头土脑
土頭土腦 tǔ tóu tǔ nǎo rustic; uncouth; countrified
185
拖泥带水
拖泥帶水 tuō ní dài shuǐ messy; sloppy; slovenly (lit. wading in mud and water)
186
完璧归赵
完璧歸趙 wán bì guī zhào return sth. to the owner in good condition (lit. to return the jade annulus to Zhao)
187
万事如意
萬事如意 wàn shì rú yì good luck; best wishes; all the best
188
望尘莫及
望塵莫及 wàng chén mò jí to be far too inferior (lit. to see only the other rider's dust and have no hope of catching up)
189
望梅止渴
望梅止渴 wàng méi zhǐ kě to console oneself with illusions; feed on fancies (lit. to quench one's thirst by thinking of plums)
190
亡羊补牢
亡羊補牢 wáng yáng bŭ láo better late than never; to remedy the situation (lit. to mend the pen after sheep are lost)
191
微乎其微
微乎其微 wēi hū qí wēi very little; next to nothing
192
为虎作伥
為虎作倀 wèi hǔ zuò chāng to help a villain do evil; (lit. to act as accomplice to the tiger)
193
闻鸡起舞
聞雞起舞 wén jī qǐ wǔ be roused into action
194
卧薪尝胆
臥薪嘗膽 wò xīn cháng dǎn inure oneself for future trials
195
无价之宝
無價之寶 wú jià zhī bǎo an object that is priceless or an asset (can also refer to abstract things)
196
无可奈何
無可奈何 wú kě nài hé have no way out; have no alternative
197
喜气洋洋
喜氣洋洋 xǐ qì yáng yáng jubilant
198
下不为例
下不為例 xià bù wéi lì never again; just this once; not to be repeated
199
显而易见
顯而易見 xiǎn ér yì jiàn clearly and easy to see; obviously
200
先见之明
先見之明 xiān jiàn zhī míng foresight
201
心不在焉
心不在焉 xīn bú zài yān absent-minded
202
信口开河
信口開河 xìn kǒu kāi hé empty promises; to talk off the cuff
203
心口如一
心口如一 xīn kǒu rú yī to be frank and unreserved; honest and straightforward (lit. heart and mouth as one)
204
心直口快
心直口快 xīn zhí kǒu kuài frank and outspoken; to say what one thinks
205
雪中送炭
雪中送炭 xuě zhōng sòng tàn timely assistance (lit. to send coal during snow)
206
言行一致
言行一致 yán xíng yí zhì practice what they preach
207
养儿防老
養兒防老 yǎng er fáng lǎo (of parents) to bring up children for the purpose of being looked after in old age
208
义不容辞
義不容辭 yì bù róng cí be duty bound
209
一帆风顺
一帆風順 yì fán fēng shùn smooth sailing (lit. single sail, gentle wind)
210
一见钟情
一見鐘情 yí jiàn zhōng qíng to fall in love at first sight
211
衣锦还乡
衣錦還鄉 yī jǐn huán xiāng to return in glory (lit. to come back to one's hometown in silken robes)
212
一举两得
一舉兩得 yì jǔ liǎng dé kill two birds with one stone (lit. one stone kills two birds)
213
一鸣惊人
一鳴驚人 yì míng jīng rén become an overnight success
214
一曝十寒
一曝十寒 yí pù shí hán not persistent; sporadic effort; lack of sticking power; short attention span
215
易如反掌
易如反掌 yì rú fǎn zhǎng very easy; no effort at all (lit. easy as a hand's turn)
216
以身作则
以身作則 yǐ shēn zuò zé lead by example
217
一视同仁
一視同仁 yí shì tóng rén equal treatment; not to discriminate between people
218
一枝独秀
一枝獨秀 yì zhī dú xiù to outshine others
219
因人而异
因人而異 yīn rén ér yì to vary with each individual; to differ from person to person
220
饮水思源
飲水思源 yǐn shuǐ sī yuán be grateful for all your blessings! (lit. when you drink water, think of its source)
221
因小失大
因小失大 yīn xiǎo shī dà missing the big picture; to save a little only to lose a lot
222
引以为耻
引以為恥 yǐn yǐ wéi chǐ to regard it as a disgrace; to consider it shameful
223
有利可图
有利可圖 yǒu lì kě tú profitable; economic
224
愚不可及
愚不可及 yú bù kě jí couldn't be more foolish; be hopelessly stupid
225
羽毛丰满
羽毛豐滿 yǔ máo fēng mǎ adjective become full-fledged; mature
226
张口结舌
張口結舌 zhāng kǒu jié shé speechless (lit. agape and tongue-tied)
227
珍禽异兽
珍禽異獸 zhēn qín yì shòu rare birds and animals
228
志同道合
志同道合 zhì tóng dào hé like-minded; fellow enthusiast
229
追踪而去
追蹤而去 zhuī zōng ér qù chasing closely (after someone)
230
自食其果
自食其果 zì shí qí guǒ suffer the consequences of one's own doing; to reap what one sows (lit. to eat one's own fruit)
231
自相矛盾
自相矛盾 zì xiāng máo dùn contradict oneself; self-contradictory; inconsistent
232
自由自在
自由自在 zì yóu zì zài free; carefree; leisurely
233
自圆其说
自圓其說 zì yuán qí shuō to make one's statement valid; to justify oneself
234
总而言之
總而言之 zǒng ér yán zhī in short; in a word; in brief; all in all
235
走马看花
走馬看花 zǒu mǎ kàn huā to make a quick judgment based on inadequate information (lit. flower viewing from horseback)
