神通广大 神通廣大 shén tōng guǎng dà (idiom) to possess great magical power / to possess remarkable abilities syn 不知天高地厚 bù zhī tiān gāo dì hòu not to know the immensity of heaven and earth / an exaggerated opinion of one's own abilities 露一手 lòu yī shǒu to show off one's abilities / to exhibit one's skills syn 打肿脸充胖子 打腫臉充胖子 dǎ zhǒng liǎn chōng pàng zi lit. to swell one's face up by slapping it to look imposing (idiom) / to seek to impress by feigning more than one's abilities syn 笨鸟先飞 笨鳥先飛 bèn niǎo xiān fēi lit. the clumsy bird flies early (idiom) / fig. to work hard to compensate for one's limited abilities syn 大显神通 大顯神通 dà xiǎn shén tōng to display one's remarkable skill or prowess / to give full play to one's brilliant abilities syn 黔驴技穷 黔驢技窮 qián lǘ jì qióng to exhaust one's limited abilities (idiom) syn 三头六臂 三頭六臂 sān tóu liù bì lit. to have three heads and six arms (idiom) / fig. to possess remarkable abilities / a being of formidable powers syn 展翅高飞 展翅高飛 zhǎn chì gāo fēi to spread one's wings and soar (idiom) / to develop one's abilities freely 藏器待时 藏器待時 cáng qì dài shí to conceal one's abilities and wait (idiom) / to lie low and await the opportune moment 量力而为 量力而為 liàng lì ér wéi to weigh one's abilities and act accordingly / to act according to one's means / to cut one's coat according to one's cloth 知人善任 zhī rén shàn rèn (idiom) expert at appointing people according to their abilities / to put the right people in the right places 用武之地 yòng wǔ zhī dì ample scope for abilities / favorable position for the use of one's skills (idiom) 不自量 bù zì liàng not take a proper measure of oneself / to overrate one's own abilities syn 能事 néng shì particular abilities / one's forte syn 陈力就列 陳力就列 chén lì jiù liè (idiom) To contribute one's abilities in an appropriate official position. It emphasizes assigning people to posts according to their abilities. 克当一面 克當一面 kè dāng yī miàn to possess one-sided abilities (idiom) 奇能异士 奇能異士 qí néng yì shì extraordinary hero with special abilities / martial arts superhero 德薄能鲜 德薄能鮮 dé bó néng xiǎn little virtue and meager abilities (idiom) / I'm a humble person and not much use at anything (Song writer Ouyang Xiu 歐陽修|欧阳修[Ou1 yang2 Xiu1]) 知人善用 zhī rén shàn yòng (idiom) expert at appointing people according to their abilities / to put the right people in the right places / see 知人善任[zhi1 ren2 shan4 ren4] 鸡蛋碰石头 雞蛋碰石頭 jī dàn pèng shí tou lit. an egg colliding with a rock (idiom) / fig. to attack sb stronger than oneself / to overrate one's abilities 三头六臂 三頭六臂 sān tóu - liù bì lit. (having) three heads and six arms (idiom) / fig. superhuman abilities / exceptional capability syn 半部论语 半部論語 bàn bù lún yǔ (idiom) A traditional expression praising the Analects of Confucius: mastering half the book was said to improve a person’s abilities and enable him to govern the state. 薄技在身 bó jì zài shēn (idiom) To possess a modest but genuine skill. The expression is used self-deprecatingly when speaking of one’s own abilities. 不露锋芒 不露鋒芒 bù lù fēng máng (idiom) Not to reveal one’s sharpness, talent, or abilities. It often describes someone who deliberately conceals their capabilities or ambitions. 不露圭角 bù lù guī jiǎo (idiom) Describes someone whose abilities are not displayed openly. The person is reserved and does not flaunt their talents. 不舞之鹤 不舞之鶴 bù wǔ zhī hè (idiom) A crane that does not dance. It refers to someone whose reputation does not match their actual abilities, and can also mock their incompetence. 布鼓雷门 bù gǔ léi mén (idiom) To beat a cloth drum before the Thunder Gate. To show off one’s abilities in front of an expert. syn 才高运蹇 cái gāo yùn jiǎn (idiom) It describes a highly talented or learned person whose circumstances are unfavorable and prevent the full use of their abilities. 才气无双 cái qì wú shuāng (idiom) To possess extraordinary talent and courage, unmatched by anyone else in the world. It praises someone whose abilities are unequaled. 才疏志大 cái shū zhì dà (idiom) It describes having limited abilities while harboring great ambitions. The expression emphasizes the gap between one’s means and aspirations. 材高知深 cái gāo zhì shēn (idiom) Describes someone with outstanding abilities and exceptional intelligence. 藏巧于拙 cáng qiǎo yú zhuō (idiom) To possess talent without displaying it. It describes keeping one’s abilities concealed and remaining discreet in dealing with the world. 尺寸可取 chǐ cùn kě qǔ (idiom) To possess a few merits or abilities without claiming to be exceptional. It is a modest way of acknowledging one’s own capabilities. 打鸭子上架 打鴨子上架 dǎ yā zi shàng jià (idiom) To force someone to do something beyond their abilities. It implies making an unreasonable demand. 大巧若拙 dà qiǎo ruò zhuō (idiom) Truly intelligent or skillful people do not flaunt their abilities / on the surface, they may appear awkward or plain. syn 大展经纶 大展經綸 dà zhǎn jīng lún (idiom) To fully display one's political or governing abilities. More broadly, to make full use of one's capabilities. syn 丹凤朝阳 丹鳳朝陽 dān fèng cháo yáng (idiom) A metaphor for a worthy or talented person who encounters a favorable age and can fully display their abilities. 德薄才疏 dé bó cái shū (idiom) To have both mediocre character and limited abilities. It is often used as a self-deprecating expression. 颠倒乾坤 diān dǎo qián kūn (idiom) To possess extraordinary abilities or means, seemingly powerful enough to overturn the established order. 颠乾倒坤 diān qiān dǎo kūn (idiom) To be able to overturn Heaven and Earth / said of a person with extraordinary abilities. 妒贤嫉能 妒賢嫉能 dù xián jí néng (idiom) To resent people whose virtue or abilities are greater than one’s own. The expression condemns a petty and malicious attitude. syn 伐功矜能 fá gōng jīn néng (idiom) To boast of one’s achievements and abilities. It describes an arrogant person who considers themselves superior and looks down on others. 锋芒不露 鋒芒不露 fēng máng bù lù (idiom) To possess talent or shrewdness without displaying it. It describes someone whose abilities or intentions are not apparent on the surface. 凤凰在笯 鳳凰在笯 fèng huáng zài nú (idiom) To be like a phoenix locked in a cage. It metaphorically describes a talented person who is unable to use their abilities or find an opportunity. 凤鸣朝阳 鳳鳴朝陽 fèng míng zhāo yáng (idiom) The phoenix sings in the morning sunlight. The expression means that a highly capable person finally gets an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. 腹中兵甲 fù zhōng bīng jiǎ (idiom) To possess outstanding abilities, especially military talent or exceptional strategic skills. 膏火自煎 gāo huǒ zì jiān (idiom) Describes a talented or learned person whose very abilities bring them trouble or misfortune. 各有所短 gè yǒu suǒ duǎn (idiom) Everyone has their own shortcomings. The expression is generally used when speaking about people and their abilities. 果于自信 guǒ yú zì xìn (idiom) To be excessively self-confident. The expression emphasizes confidence in one’s own abilities that goes beyond what is reasonable. 鸿渐之仪 鴻漸之儀 hóng jiàn zhī yí (idiom) A complimentary expression for a person’s bearing, talent, or abilities. 嫉闲妒能 jí xián dù néng (idiom) To resent and envy people whose virtue or abilities are greater than one’s own. It describes hostility toward capable or accomplished people. 济世之才 jì shì zhī cái (idiom) A talent capable of saving society and governing the country. It refers to a person with exceptional abilities in public administration. 尽其所长 jìn qí suǒ cháng (idiom) To make full use of one’s abilities and strengths. To bring one’s particular talents fully into play. 夸父逐日 kuā fù zhuī rì (idiom) Describes someone with great ambitions, but also someone who overestimates their abilities. 老虎头上搔痒 lǎo hǔ tóu shàng sāo yǎng (idiom) To overestimate one’s abilities and recklessly challenge someone or something powerful. 量力度德 liàng lì duó dé (idiom) To assess whether one’s virtue is sufficient to command respect and whether one’s abilities are adequate for a task. 量能授官 liàng néng shòu guān (idiom) To assign an official position or responsibility according to a person’s abilities. 露才扬己 lù cái yáng jǐ (idiom) To display one's abilities. It can also describe someone who flaunts their talents and seeks to show off. 卵与石斗 luǎn yǔ shí dòu (idiom) To confront a force far greater than oneself and be doomed to fail. It criticizes someone for overestimating their abilities. 名过其实 名過其實 míng guò qí shí (idiom) A person's reputation exceeds their actual abilities or achievements. The expression is generally negative. syn 名实难副 名實難副 míng shí nán fù (idiom) A person’s reputation is great, but their actual abilities do not live up to it. 能不称官 能不稱官 néng bù chèn guān (idiom) To have abilities that do not match one’s official position. It describes someone who is unfit or incompetent for the post they hold. 被褐怀玉 被褐懷玉 pī hè huái yù (idiom) To possess genuine talent while living modestly. It describes someone from a poor background who has real abilities but does not show them off. 蚍蜉戴盆 pí fú dài pén (idiom) To have limited abilities while taking on an extremely demanding task. It can also describe someone acting beyond their capabilities. 棋高一着，缚手缚脚 qí gāo yī zhāo fù shǒu fù jiǎo (idiom) Originally referring to chess, it later means that a technical advantage leaves the opponent unable to display their abilities. 群空冀北 qún kōng jì běi (idiom) Describes talented people who meet someone capable of recognizing and promoting their abilities. 山锐则不高 shān ruì zé bù gāo (idiom) Someone who displays their sharpness and abilities too openly is unlikely to accomplish great things. 声闻过情 聲聞過情 shēng wén guò qíng (idiom) To have a reputation that exceeds one's actual merits or abilities. Such a gap between fame and reality is regarded as shameful for an honorable person. 盛名之下，其实难副 盛名之下，其實難副 shèng míng zhī xià qí shí nán fù (idiom) A highly reputed person may not have actual abilities equal to their reputation. 使蚊负山 shǐ wén fù shān (idiom) To undertake a task far beyond one’s abilities and therefore be unable to accomplish it. 随才器使 suí cái qì shǐ (idiom) To assign each person work suited to their abilities and strengths. 韬光晦迹 tāo guāng huì jì (idiom) To conceal one’s abilities and avoid displaying them. 韬晦之计 韜晦之計 tāo huì zhī jì (idiom) A strategy of concealing one’s talents and keeping one’s abilities from being noticed. 踢天弄井 tī tiān nòng jǐng (idiom) To be able to reach the sky and enter a well. It describes someone with extraordinary abilities, or a child who is extremely mischievous. 铁中铮铮 鐵中錚錚 tiě zhōng zhēng zhēng (idiom) To describe a person whose abilities stand out among ordinary people, though they may not be outstanding among the very best. 梧鼠技穷 梧鼠技窮 wú shǔ jì qióng (idiom) To have limited abilities or talents. 梧鼠五技 wú shǔ wǔ jì (idiom) To possess many skills without mastering any of them. It describes someone whose abilities are scattered and ineffective. 小试锋芒 小試鋒芒 xiǎo shì fēng máng (idiom) To show one’s abilities to a limited extent. It can also suggest a first, modest demonstration of one’s talent. syn 学步邯郸 學步邯鄲 xué bù hán dān (idiom) To imitate others mechanically without learning their strengths, thereby losing one's own abilities. 学浅才疏 xué qiǎn cái shū (idiom) To have limited abilities and shallow learning. It is generally used as a self-deprecating expression. 一龙一猪 一龍一豬 yī lóng yī zhū (idiom) One is a dragon and the other a pig. The expression compares two contemporaries whose abilities or achievements differ enormously. 以卵投石 yǐ luǎn tóu shí (idiom) To challenge a clearly superior force without assessing one's own abilities, thereby courting destruction. syn 以指挠沸 yǐ zhǐ náo fèi (idiom) To stir boiling water with one’s finger. It describes an attempt beyond one’s abilities that is certain to fail. 因任授官 yīn rèn shòu guān (idiom) To appoint someone to an official position according to their abilities. 有才无命 yǒu cái wú mìng (idiom) To possess talent but suffer unfavorable circumstances or fate / to remain unfulfilled despite one’s abilities. 韫椟而藏 韞櫝而藏 yùn dú ér cáng (idiom) In older usage, to withdraw while keeping one’s talents in reserve / it can also suggest preserving one’s abilities until an opportunity to serve arises. 知尽能索 zhī jìn néng suǒ (idiom) To have exhausted all one’s knowledge and abilities. 知小谋大 知小謀大 zhī xiǎo móu dà (idiom) To have abilities too limited to undertake an important task. 志大才疏 zhì dà cái shū (idiom) Describes someone whose ambitions are great but whose abilities are insufficient. It is generally critical. syn 智尽能索 zhì jìn néng suǒ (idiom) All one's wisdom and abilities have been exhausted, and no solution remains. 卓立鸡群 zhuó lì jī qún (idiom) To stand out like a crane among chickens. It describes a person whose appearance or abilities are conspicuously superior to those around them. 一介之才 yī jiè zhī cái (idiom) A modest ability or talent. It is often used self-deprecatingly when referring to one's own abilities. 一士之智 yī shì zhī zhì (idiom) The wisdom or intelligence of a single person. It emphasizes the limits of an individual's abilities. 一掌堙江 yī zhǎng yīn jiāng (idiom) To try to contain a great river with one hand. It refers to overestimating one’s abilities and attempting something beyond one’s power. 一身三手 yī shēn sān shǒu (idiom) Having several abilities or means is useless if they serve no practical purpose. The expression stresses that apparent abundance may be ineffective. 三头八臂 三頭八臂 sān tóu bā bì (idiom) Originally describing a deity with an extraordinary appearance, it later came to describe someone with remarkable powers and exceptional abilities. 三首六臂 sān shǒu liù bì (idiom) Describes a deity with three heads and six arms. By extension, it refers to someone with extraordinary powers or outstanding abilities. 不器之器 bù qì zhī qì (idiom) Refers to a person with broad, all-round abilities rather than talent confined to a single field. 不测之智 不測之智 bù cè zhī zhì (idiom) Intelligence and talent that cannot be measured / it describes exceptional insight and broad abilities. 