- 大海捞针 dàhǎilāozhēn needle in a haystackTo fish for a needle in the sea; to engage in a search that is virtually impossible or extremely difficult to succeed.
- 石沉大海 shíchéndàhǎi no responseto disappear without a trace like a stone sinking into the sea; to elicit no response or news
- 胖大海 pàngdàhǎi malva nutseed of Sterculia lychnophora, used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat sore throats and coughs
- 石投大海 shítóudàhǎi vanishto disappear completely without leaving a trace or receiving any response, like a stone dropped into the ocean
- 大海沟 dàhǎigōu oceanic trenchmarine trench