September

the underworld ⇒ 含笑九泉 hán xiào jiǔquán → rest happy in one's grave

the coldest days of winter pl

have a narrow escape

a drop in the ocean

far away ⇒ 他早把誓言抛到了九霄云外。 Tā zǎo bǎ shìyán pāodàole jiǔ xiāo yún wài. → He has long since forgotten his promise.

practically certain ⇒ 这场球赛,教练是十拿九稳。 Zhè chǎng qiúsài, jiàoliàn shì shí ná jiǔ wěn. → The coach is practically certain of winning the match.

( 口 ) pretty close ⇒ 你的答案八九不离十。 Nǐ de dá'àn bā jiǔ bù lí shí. → Your answer is pretty close.

( 喻 ) enormous effort ⇒ 我费了九牛二虎之力将冰箱运回家。 Wǒ fèile jiǔ niú èr hǔ zhī lì jiāng bīngxiāng yùn huí jiā. → I bust a gut to get the fridge home.