·水落石出
有人照字直译为：As the water level sinks, the stones are exposed。
这样说，恐怕老外还是听不懂。他们的说法是：
All secrets may eventually come to light. (所有祕密最后总会曝光。)
也可以说：
Eventually, every secret will be disclosed。
·烈火炼真金，患难见真情
有人译成：Fire is the test of gold；adversity is the test of friendship。
这句译文，虽然很好，老外也能了解，但是他们还有另外的说法：
Liquor brings out a person's true color。(烈酒能显示一个人真正的特色)
或者说：
Wine reveals a person's true heart。
虽然老外不用“烈火炼真金”的比喻，但有“路遥知马力”的说法：
By a long road, we know a horse's strength；at times of difficulty, we discover a friend's true character。
·雷声大，雨点小
有人译为：
The thunder roars loudly, but little rain falls. 或者说：All we hear is thunder, but no rain falls。
虽然这样直译比较容易理解，但是老外的说法是这样的：
Actions speak louder than words. (行动胜于言谈)
或All we hear is words, but there is no action. (只动嘴不动手)
或Actions and words should go hand in hand. (言行必须一致)
另外，还有英语里还有这样的说法：
An empty barrel makes biggest sound。(空洞的话说得太多了。)
·人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
有人译为：
A man can not be known by his look, nor can the ocean be measured by a dipper。
这样的译法只是直译，如果能够稍加修改，老外就能了解：
A man can not be judged by his appearance, nor can the water in the sea be measured by a bucket。
不过，老外通常的说法是这样的：
We can not judge a person by appearance only. 或 You can not judge a book by its cover。
(意思是：一本书的好坏取决于它的内容，而不是它的封面装帧的漂亮与否。)
·少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲
有人译成 If you neglect study when you are young, what may happento your old age?
这句问句会把老外问得云里雾里，因为他们沒有“学而优则仕”的思想，也不认为功课差，将来就会伤悲。他们劝告子女经常说的是Studying / working hard can lead you to a brighter / more promising future. (努力用功会带给你光明的前程。)
当然也可以对年轻人说：
Study hard when you are young. It will pay off when you get older. (年轻时好好努力，到老的时就会觉得学有所值。)
·一日为师，终身为父
有这样的译法：
He who teaches me for one day is my father for life。
If you are my teacher for even one day,you will be my teacher (mentor) all my life。
He who teaches me may be considered my father-figure for life。
这几种译法意思都是“老师即使对我只有一天的教诲，也会让我一生都受用不尽。”外国人也有他们表达师生关系的谚语，如：
Teach others to fish and they will fish for a life time. (授人以鱼，不如授人以渔)
Give a man fish, he will have a meal;teach him to fish, he will have food all his life。
·近墨者黑，近朱者赤
有人直译为：
One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black. (vermilion 是朱砂或鲜红色的意思)
也有人译成：
When you touch black, you become black;when you touch red, you become red。
这种说法，恐怕老外一时无法理解真正含意。不过他们倒有这么说：
One takes the behavior of one'scompany. (一个人的行为，往往受到朋友的影响。) 或
One takes on the attributes of one's associates. (attributes 复数時是指品质、特性；associates 指朋友、同事)
简单的说，就是：
Watch the company you keep! (小心交朋友！)
或者也可以说成：
As he who lies with dogs will ride withfleas, how could your son learn anything good by mixing with those people? (你儿子跟那些人混在一起，能学出个好来？)
