(in elections for village committees in the PRC since the 1990s) unrestricted nomination, a type of election where 1. everyone in the community is eligible to nominate somebody 2. voting is done by writing the name of one's nominee on the ballot, and 3. one's nominee can be anyone in the community (Nominees who receive the highest number of votes may be thereby elected or, more often, presented as the candidates in a further round of voting.) / (in other contexts) selection of the best contender in a process open to all comers / (in the entertainment industry) open audition
力所能及
lì suǒ néng jí
as far as one's capabilities extend (idiom) / to the best of one's ability / within one's powers
最佳影片
zuì jiā yǐng piàn
best movie (in film awards)
相得益彰
xiāng dé yì zhāng
to bring out the best in each other (idiom) / to complement one another well
数一数二
shǔ yī shǔ èr
reckoned to be first or second best (idiom) / one of the very best / to list one by one
to congratulate respectfully / to wish good luck and success (esp. to a superior) / with best wishes (in writing)
因势利导
yīn shì lì dǎo
to take advantage of the new situation (idiom) / to make the best of new opportunities
独占鳌头
dú zhàn áo tóu
to come first in triennial palace examinations (idiom, refers to the carved stone turtle head in front of the imperial palace, next to which the most successful candidate in the imperial examinations was entitled to stand) / to be the champion / to be the very best in any field
望子成龙
wàng zǐ chéng lóng
lit. to hope one's son becomes a dragon (idiom) / fig. to long for one' s child to succeed in life / to have great hopes for one's offspring / to give one's child the best education as a career investment
lit. the old man lost his horse, but it all turned out for the best (idiom) / fig. a blessing in disguise / it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
塞翁失马安知非福
sài wēng shī mǎ ān zhī fēi fú
the old man lost his mare, but it all turned out for the best (idiom) / fig. a blessing in disguise / it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good / also written 塞翁失馬焉知非福|塞翁失马焉知非福
祁奚之荐
Qí Xī zhī jiàn
Qi Xi's recommendation (idiom) / recommending the best person for the job independent of factional loyalty
舜日尧天
Shùn rì Yáo tiān
sage Emperors Shun and Yao rule every day (idiom) / all for the best in the best of all possible worlds
舜日尧年
Shùn rì Yáo nián
sage Emperors Shun and Yao rule every day (idiom) / all for the best in the best of all possible worlds
塞翁失马焉知非福
sài wēng shī mǎ yān zhī fēi fú
the old man lost his mare, but it all turned out for the best (idiom) / fig. a blessing in disguise / it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
北叟失马
běi sǒu shī mǎ
lit. the old man lost his horse, but it all turned out for the best (idiom) / fig. a blessing in disguise / it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
男傧相
nán bīn xiàng
best man (in a marriage)
车到山前必有路
chē dào shān qián bì yǒu lù
lit. when we get to the mountain, there'll be a way through (idiom) / fig. everything will turn out for the best / let's worry about it when it happens / it will be all right on the night
抢镜头
qiǎng jìng tóu
to scoop the best camera shots / to grab the limelight
矮子里拔将军
ǎi zi li bá jiāng jūn
lit. choose a general from among the dwarfs / fig. choose the best person available (out of a mediocre bunch)
求好心切
qiú hǎo xīn qiè
to demand the highest standards of sb (or oneself) (idiom) / to strive to achieve the best possible results / to be a perfectionist
employ one's talent to the fullest / everyone gives of their best / also written 人盡其才|人尽其才
冷煖自知
lěng nuǎn zì zhī
the person who drinks it knows best whether the water is hot or cold (Zen proverb) / self-awareness comes from within / to know best by personal experience
to plan and consider / to reflect on one's best strategy
靠山吃山，靠水吃水
kào shān chī shān , kào shuǐ chī shuǐ
lit. the mountain dweller lives off the mountain, the shore dweller lives off the sea (idiom) / fig. to make the best use of local resources / to exploit one's position to advance oneself / to find one's niche / to live off the land
wáng