scattered around ⇒ 屋子里七零八落地放着一些书。 Wūzi li qī líng bā luò de fàngzhe yīxiē shū. → Books were scattered around the room.
乱七八糟
in a mess
五花八门
wide variety ⇒ 五花八门的电视节目让我无从选择。 Wǔ huā bā mén de diànshì jiémù ràng wǒ wú cóng xuǎnzé. → I find it hard to select from such a wide variety of television programmes ( 英 ) 或 programs ( 美 ) .
八面玲珑
be a smooth operator
半斤八两
( 口 ) six of one and half a dozen of the other ⇒ 这两个人半斤八两,都不能胜任这份工作。 Zhè liǎng gè rén bàn jīn bā liǎng, dōu bùnéng shèngrèn zhè fèn gōngzuò. → They're six of one and half a dozen of the other - neither of them are competent enough to do the job.
四平八稳
well-balanced
四通八达
extend in all directions ⇒ 地铁线路四通八达。 Dìtiě xiànlù sì tōng bā dá. → The different lines of the underground link everywhere up.
横七竖八
lying this way and that ⇒ 门前横七竖八地停着很多自行车。 Ménqián héng qī shù bā de tíngzhe hěnduō zìxíngchē. → Bicycles were lying this way and that in front of the door.
八九不离十
( 口 ) pretty close ⇒ 你的答案八九不离十。 Nǐ de dá'àn bā jiǔ bù lí shí. → Your answer is pretty close.
八仙过海,各显神通
compete to demonstrate one's talents ⇒ 他们大搞技术创新, 真是八仙过海,各显神通。 Tāmen dà gǎo jìshù chuàngxīn, zhēnshi bāxiān guò hǎi, gè xiǎn shéntōng. → They have been very innovative technically - each competing with the other to demonstrate their talents.