make a futile effort

Analyze and decide like water flowing -- decide cases promptly

act as host in turn

Prey upon one's country and injure the people

have a loaf

see something as clear as a blazing fire

have no equal in one's time

Distracted

Butterfly Zhuang Sheng

dignity(face)

out of one's senses

A stupid person will meet with success if he persists in study.

mend one's way(do away with all the evils and dirt)

The road is exhausted.

the broken stem of a floating duckweed

come straight to the point

brace up(pull oneself together)

slavishly follow one's predecessors

scanty financial aid

a small-minded person, a bean-counter