Chinese Idioms with Numbers, four to ten and hundred.
1. 七上八下 (qī shàng bā xià) to have one’s heart pound with uncertainty or fear This means at sixes and sevens; perturbed state of mind; in a mess. In the Water Margin, it describes someone's feelings; have one’s heart clang like 15 buckets in one well, 7 going up and 8 going down.
For example: 每次考试的时候，我的心都七上八下的。 měi cì kǎoshì de shí hòu, wǒ de xīn dōu qī shàng bā xià de. Every time I take an exam, I feel so uneasy.
2. 四面八方 (sì miàn bā fāng) in many different directions This means in all directions / all-around / far and near. It refers to all aspects or various places.
For example: 中国有来自四面八方的游客。 zhōng guó yǒu lái zì sì miàn bā fāng de yóu kè. China has tourists from all different countries.
3. 九牛一毛 (jiǔ niú yì máo) comparatively small This literally means “a single hair out of nine ox hides.” It can be translated to mean that something is “comparatively small” in comparison to something else.
For example: 比起他付出的，我这些事都是九牛一毛。 bǐ qǐ tā fù chū de, wǒ zhè xiē shì dōu shì jiǔ niú yī máo. Compared with what he paid, what I’ve done is small.
4. 十全十美 (shí quán shí měi) perfect in every way It describes ten out of ten and it is used in a real conversation to describe something as perfect in every way.
For example: 没有人是十全十美的。 méi yǒu rén shì shí quán shí měi de. Nobody is perfect.
5. 百口莫辩 (bǎi kǒu mò biàn) can't argue It means being unable to give a convincing explanation in self-defence.
For example: 还好有目击者，要不然我真的是百口莫辩了。 hái hǎo yǒu mù jí zhě, yào bù rán wǒ zhēn de shì bǎi kǒu mò biàn le. Fortunately, there were witnesses, otherwise I really can’t argue.