半斤八两 (bàn jīn bā liǎng)

Meaning: Six of one, half a dozen of the other — equally bad.

Language: Chinese

Literally: Half a jin, eight liang

Category: Daily Life

Origin: Chinese measurement system where 1 jin = 16 liang, so half a jin = 8 liang.

More idioms — Daily Life

• Met de deur in huis vallen — To get straight to the point without any preamble.
• नाच न जाने आंगन टेढ़ा (naach na jaane aangan tedha) — A bad workman blames his tools.
• على قد لحافك مد رجليك (ʿalā qadd liḥāfik midd rijlayk) — Live within your means.
• C'est la croix et la bannière — It is an enormous effort or ordeal.
• Faire d'une pierre deux coups — To kill two birds with one stone.
• être sur des charbons ardents — Being extremely anxious or impatient about something.

More Chinese idioms

• 臥虎藏龍 (Wò hǔ cáng lóng) — Hidden talented individuals waiting quietly for their moment to shine.
• 马马虎虎 (Mǎmǎhūhū) — So-so; careless and only just passable.
• 拍马屁 (pāi mǎpì) — To flatter or suck up to someone.
• 亡羊补牢 (Wáng yáng bǔ láo) — It's not too late to act after a setback to prevent further loss.
• 杯弓蛇影 (bēi gōng shé yǐng) — To frighten yourself with imaginary fears.
• 胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú) — To have a well-formed plan ready before you begin.

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