1. 塞翁失马 a blessing¹ in disguise, a loss may turn out to be a gain

 

The failure of the summit may be a blessing in disguise.

这次峰会的失败或许是塞翁失马。

 

2. 一马当先 be the first, take the lead

 

When we were climbing the mountain, he took the lead and made for the summit.

大伙儿去爬山时，他一马当先，往山头冲上去。

 

3. 汗马功劳 distinctions won in battle, one's contribution in work

 

During the bilateral² trade negotiations³, he spared neither day nor night to make them a success. His contribution was indeed great and is highly appreciated.

为了此次双边贸易谈判，他夜以继日地东奔西走，立下了汗马功劳。

 

4. 单枪匹马 do something single-handedly

 

Xiao Song, the center forward, takes the ball single-handedly into the rival's court, dodges⁴ all obstacles and shoots, he always manages to score nine times out of ten.

中锋小宋常常单枪匹马带球冲到敌阵，避过重重围阻射门，且十有九中。

 

5. 老马识途 an old hand is the best guide, an old horse knows the way

 

The road is rugged⁵ and winding⁶, so we have Lao Zhang lead the way because an old hand is the best guide.

这段山路崎岖难行，老张老马识途，所以让他带路。

 

6. 马到成功 win instant/speedy success

 

If the problem is given to this research institute, which is well-equipped and well-staffed, we believe it can be both successfully and quickly done.

该研究所设备好，人才济济，若把这个问题交给这个所，必定能够马到成功。

 

7. 秣马厉兵 be combat-ready, (feed the horses and sharpen the weapons) make active preparations for war

 

The two teams will play in the finals tomorrow. Both sides are combat-ready and hoping to do well.

两支球队明日决赛，双方都在秣马厉兵，争取拿出最好的表现。

 

8. 走马观花 give a hurried and cursory⁷ glance at, cast only a passing glance at

 

Having business at hand, he only had a passing glance at Sanya.

由于有公事在身, 他只能走马观花似地看看三亚的风景。

 

9. 天马行空 an unrestrained and vigorous style of imagination (that brims with talent)

 

Give your child a piece of blank paper, and he will show you an unrestrained imagination.

给孩子一张白纸，他就可以天马行空。

 

10. 悬崖勒马 pull back before it's too late

 

In spite of having done wrong, you can still pull back now before it is too late and work for a bright future.

你虽然做过错事，但如能悬崖勒马重新做人，仍然会有光明的前途。

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