截长补短 make up for shortcomings by drawing on strengths
Explanation
截取长的，补充短的。比喻用长处补短处，取长补短。
To cut off the long and supplement the short. A metaphor for using one's strengths to make up for one's weaknesses.
Origin Story
在一个古老的村庄里，住着两位技艺高超的工匠，老张擅长木雕，作品栩栩如生，但他对金属加工却一窍不通；而老李则精通金属工艺，但他木雕技艺却略显稚嫩。有一天，村里需要建造一座精美的木质牌坊，既要雕刻精美的图案，又要镶嵌坚固的金属部件。老张和老李决定合作，老张负责木雕部分，发挥他精湛的技艺，雕刻出精美绝伦的图案；老李则负责金属部件的制作，利用他的专业知识，打造出坚固耐用的金属配件。在合作过程中，他们互相学习，取长补短，老张学习了一些金属加工技巧，老李也提高了自己的木雕水平。最终，他们共同完成了一座精美绝伦的牌坊，受到了村民们的一致赞扬。
In an ancient village, lived two highly skilled craftsmen, Old Zhang and Old Li. Old Zhang excelled in wood carving, his works being lifelike, but he knew nothing about metalworking. Old Li, on the other hand, was a master of metalworking, but his wood carving skills were somewhat lacking. One day, the village needed a beautiful wooden archway, requiring both intricate carvings and sturdy metal components. Old Zhang and Old Li decided to collaborate. Old Zhang took charge of the wood carving, showcasing his expertise to create exquisite designs. Old Li handled the metal components, utilizing his knowledge to produce strong and durable metal parts. Throughout their collaboration, they learned from each other, complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses. Old Zhang picked up some metalworking techniques, while Old Li improved his wood carving skills. In the end, they completed a stunning archway together, earning the admiration of all the villagers.
Usage
截长补短常用来形容团队合作，也用于个人学习和自我提升。它强调的是扬长避短，互相学习，共同进步的理念。
The idiom "jié cháng bǔ duǎn" is often used to describe teamwork, but also for personal learning and self-improvement. It emphasizes the idea of making the most of one's strengths, compensating for one's weaknesses, and making progress together.
Examples
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团队成员各有专长，我们应该截长补短，互相学习，共同进步。
tuānduǐ chéngyuán gèyǒu zhuānzhǎng, wǒmen yīnggāi jié cháng bǔ duǎn, hùxiāng xuéxí, gòngtóng jìnbù.
Team members have their own expertise; we should make the most of our strengths and make up for our shortcomings, learning from each other and making progress together.
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这次合作中，我们发挥各自优势，截长补短，最终取得了成功。
zhè cì hézuò zhōng, wǒmen fāhuī gèzì yōushì, jié cháng bǔ duǎn, zuìzhōng qǔdéle chénggōng.
In this collaboration, we leveraged our respective strengths, complementing each other's weaknesses and achieving success in the end.