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Drawing water with a bamboo basket — an empty gain. The effort results in nothing because water drains through the basket.

Blowing a fire with a rolling pin — doesn't understand a thing. A rolling pin is solid, so air can't pass through — meaning someone is clueless or incompetent.

Breaking a clay pot — questioning to the bottom. Describes someone who insists on getting to the bottom of things, unwilling to leave any question unanswered.

A clay Buddha crossing a river — can't save itself. A clay statue dissolves in water, meaning you're in trouble yourself and can't help anyone else.

Becoming a monk halfway through life — learning from scratch. Starting a new field or career later in life, having to learn everything anew.

Sleeping on a bench — hard to turn over. Describes a difficult situation where it's hard to change or escape.

Wind blows the grass on the wall — a person who constantly switches sides depending on who has the upper hand; an opportunist.

Setting off firecrackers on a coffin — literally scares the dead, figuratively means something is extremely frightening.

A monk scolding a Taoist priest — overstepping one's bounds by meddling in affairs of a different group or profession.

Well water doesn't interfere with river water — two parties stay out of each other's business; live and let live.

Pouring boiling water on ice — it melts immediately; something that resolves or disappears very quickly.

Seeing a monk and calling him brother-in-law — trying to claim a relationship where none exists; forcing a connection with a stranger.

Taking tonic while having diarrhea — a wasted effort because the body can't absorb it; doing something completely useless.

A telephone pole on the road — being pushed aside or left out; told to step aside and not be in the way.

Puppet show — there's someone pulling the strings behind the scenes.