what is a corresponding proverb in English

Yu1 Liang4 qing-jie (Yu Liang complex) is quite often found four-syllable
fixed expressions in Chinese.
Yu stands for Zhou Yu
Ling stands for Zhuge Liang
They are two famous historical figures in the Romance of Three Kingdoms
The fixed expressions mean that two equally able persons are locked
in enviously competitive situation. What would be a good corresponding
fixed expression in English?

Yu1 Liang4 qing-jie (Yu Liang complex) is quite often found four-syllable
fixed expressions in Chinese.
Yu stands for Zhou Yu
Ling stands for Zhuge Liang
They are two famous historical figures in the Romance of Three Kingdoms
The fixed expressions mean that two equally able persons are locked
in enviously competitive situation. What would be a good corresponding
fixed expression in English?

[RonBee]

Re:

• The fixed expressions mean that two equally able persons are locked
  in enviously competitive situation.

I don't think "enviously" works in that sentence.

I am not sure if there is a comparable expression in English.

:)

[RonBee]

Re:

• The fixed expressions mean that two equally able persons are locked
  in enviously competitive situation.

I don't think "enviously" works in that sentence.

I am not sure if there is a comparable expression in English.

:)

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by guntien

Yu1 Liang4 qing-jie (Yu Liang complex) is quite often found four-syllable
fixed expressions in Chinese.
Yu stands for Zhou Yu
Ling stands for Zhuge Liang
They are two famous historical figures in the Romance of Three Kingdoms
The fixed expressions mean that two equally able persons are locked
in enviously competitive situation. What would be a good corresponding
fixed expression in English?

This is about as close as I can come:

dog-eat-dog (dôg'ēt-dôg', dŏg'ēt-dŏg')
adj.
Ruthlessly acquisitive or competitive: a dog-eat-dog society.


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.


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[bmo]

Originally Posted by guntien

The fixed expressions mean that two equally able persons are locked
in enviously competitive situation. What would be a good corresponding
fixed expression in English?

Neck and neck.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by bmo

Neck and neck.

That's good for a race, especially a horse race.

:wink:

[bmo]

Originally Posted by RonBee

Neck and neck.

That's good for a race, especially a horse race.

You are right, thanks.

BMO