help

yi4 yi1 dai4 shui3
A narrow strip of water.
Said of close neighbours that you feel obliged to assist if they should need your help).

wai4 sheng1 da3 deng1 long2... zhao4 jiu4
The nephew carries the lamp... to lighten for his uncle (as usual).
This is a game of words. The pronunciation of "zhao4 jiu4" can be interpreted as both "lighting up" and "as usual".

ya4 miao2 zhu2 zhang3
Helping young shoots to grow by pulling them upward.
This alludes to doing something against nature for the sake of quick results. Spoiling things with excessive enthusiasm. A watched pot never boils.

mao2 sui4 zi4 jian4
Mao Sui recommending himself.
Used to describe a person who volunteers his services for a task or post.

ni2 pu2 sa4 guo4 he2... zi4 shen1 nan2 bao3
Carry a Buddha-idol across the river... when it can't even save itself.
It is not wise to trust someone to support you, if he cannot keep himself safe. Alternative form: 泥菩萨过江…自身难保 (ni2 pu2 sa4 guo4 jiang1... zi4 shen1 nan2 bao3).

ai4 mo4 neng2 zhu4
Be willing to help but unable to do so.
(No further explanation)

jin3 nang2 miao4 ji4
Excellent stratagems in a silk bag.
Said of clever ideas or solutions that help someone in overcoming an emergency. Alternative form: 锦囊妙着 (jin3 nang2 miao4 zhao1).