抽絲剝繭 unraveling reel silk from cocoons—to make a painstaking investigation or examination
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抽薪止沸（literally）to stop the boiling by taking out the fire—to stop or prevent trouble by removing the cause.
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為山九仞，功虧一簣(出自尚書.旅獒比喻功敗垂成) （literally）the lack of one basketful of Earth spoils the entire effort to build a nine-jen mountain. —the whole plan is ruined by a last-minute mistake or negligence.
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一念之差 momentary slip
(a momentary slip with serious consequences; a wrong thought in passing; a wrong decision made in a moment of weakness; a false step;…)
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功敗垂成（比喻一件大事只差最後一點人力、物力而不能成功） fail on the verge of success; suffer defeat when victory is within one's grasp; a slip between the cup and the lip; failed in the end; fail at the last moment; flop just before the finish; a failure that was nearly a success; to fall at the last hurdle;…
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