Bāxiān guò hǎi, gè xiǎn shéntōng (/qí néng).

八仙過海, 各顯神通(/其能)。

Lit [When the] Eight Taoist Immortals cross the ocean, [each] one displays [his or her own] (special) ability.

Fig Each individual in a group has his or her own special talent or way of dealing with things.

Note [Based on a famous folktale in which each of the Immortals used his or her own special skill in crossing the sea; also used as a xiehouyu.]

Topics Eight Immortals Immortals INDIVIDUALS SKILL TALENT Taoist xiehouyu