- 取长补短 qǔchángbǔduǎn to offset weaknesses with strengthsto draw on strengths to offset weaknesses; to use the strong points of one person or thing to make up for the shortcomings of another
- 截长补短 jiéchángbǔduǎn to balance strengths and weaknessesto take from the long to supplement the short; to offset deficiencies by using an abundance of something else; to complement each other by using strengths to make up for weaknesses
- 绝长补短 juéchángbǔduǎn to use surplus to fill a deficitTo use what one has in excess to make up for what one lacks; to take from the long to supplement the short.
- 折长补短 zhéchángbǔduǎn to take from the long to supplement the shortTo take from where there is a surplus to make up for a deficiency; to compensate for shortcomings by using strengths.
