靠山吃山，靠水吃水

kào shān chī shān , kào shuǐ chī shuǐ

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Definitions

1. lit. the mountain dweller lives off the mountain, the shore dweller lives off the sea (idiom)
2. fig. to make the best use of local resources
3. to exploit one's position to advance oneself
4. to find one's niche
5. to live off the land

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Child Words of 靠山吃山，靠水吃水

• 吃 吃 chī: to eat
• 山 山 shān: mountain; hill (CL:座[zuò])
• 水 水 shuǐ: water
• 靠 靠 kào: to lean against or on
• 吃水 吃水 chī shuǐ: drinking water
• 靠山 靠山 kào shān: patron; backer