子午卯酉 [zǐwǔmǎoyǒu]

1. 1. [直译: from midnight to noon and from sunrise to sunset] from beginning to end; from start to finish

问个子午卯酉
get to the bottom of things

2. 2. [直译: from midnight to noon and from sunrise to sunset] reason; argument

他吭哧了半天，也没有说出个子午卯酉。
He hummed and hawed for quite a while, failing to come out with any convincing argument.

3. 3. [直译: from midnight to noon and from sunrise to sunset] result; achievement

没混出个子午卯酉
have accomplished nothing; have got nowhere

子丑寅卯 [zǐchǒuyínmǎo]

1. 1. the first four of the twelve Earthly Branches (地支)—in an orderly way; systematically

你倒子丑寅卯讲得像模像样的。
You've described the whole thing in such vivid detail that it sounds quite real.
他支吾了半天，也没有说出个子丑寅卯来。
He hummed and hawed for quite a while, failing to come out with a coherent story.