gains do not offset losses; not worth the cost
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
the gains do not make up for the losses; not worth the cost
formalUsed to describe a situation where the cost, loss, or negative consequences outweigh the benefit gained. Often used as a predicate or comment in formal and informal contexts.
Wèi为
le了
shěng省
zhè这
diǎn点
qián钱
，
nǐ你
jìng竟
rán然
xī牺
shēng牲
le了
jiàn健
kāng康
，
zhēn真
shì是
dé得
bù不
cháng偿
shī失
。
To save this little bit of money, you actually sacrificed your health; it really wasn't worth it.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
zuò做
fǎ法
suī虽
rán然
duǎn短
qī期
nèi内
yǒu有
xiào效
，
dàn但
cháng长
yuǎn远
lái来
kàn看
shì是
dé得
bù不
cháng偿
shī失
de的
。
Although this method is effective in the short term, in the long run it is not worth the cost.
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Tā他
wèi为
le了
dǎ打
yóu游
xì戏
áo熬
yè夜
，
jié结
guǒ果
dì第
èr二
tiān天
kǎo考
zá砸
le了
，
zhēn真
shì是
dé得
bù不
cháng偿
shī失
。
He stayed up all night playing games, and as a result failed the exam the next day; it really wasn't worth it.