半斤八两

半拉子

Literally means:

eight Liang of one Jin and half of one Jin

Actually means:

In old Chinese measurement, one Jin equaled sixteen Liang, so half a Jin equaled eight Liang. Half a Jin and eight Liang are equal in weight.

This phrase figuratively means the two are quite the same. It is usually used to compare two persons or two things.

中国的旧制一斤等于十六两，半斤等于八两。

半斤和八两轻重相等，比喻彼此一样，不相上 下。多用于对两个人或两个事物进行对比。