Sleeves Like Flowing Water The expression "One who has long sleeves dances best," meaning one will succeed much easier if he has something to rely upon, when used to describe a person, may have either a good or a bad connotation. Yet when it's used to describe someone in the operatic circle, especially the leading female role, it's meant as one of the highest compliments.
用「長袖善舞」來形容一個人，可能有褒有貶；但若用來形容梨園中人﹘﹘尤其是青衣旦角，可就是讚譽有加了。