be excessively calculating over trivialities; be penny-pinching
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to be excessively calculating over trifles; to haggle over every ounce
neutralUsed to criticize someone for being overly meticulous and petty about minor gains or losses. The variant "掂斤簸(bǒ)两" is also mentioned in the source.
Tā他
shì是
gè个
dà大
fāng方
de的
rén人
，
cóng从
bù不
yǔ与
rén人
diān掂
jīn斤
bǒ簸
liǎng两
。
He is a generous person and never haggles over every little thing.
Bié别
zài在
zhè这
me么
diǎn点
xiǎo小
qián钱
shàng上
diān掂
jīn斤
bǒ簸
liǎng两
，
làng浪
fèi费
shí时
jiān间
。
Don't be so penny-pinching over such a small amount of money; it's a waste of time.
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Hé合
zuò作
yào要
jiǎng讲
qiú求
gòng共
yíng赢
，
bù不
néng能
zǒng总
shì是
diān掂
jīn斤
bǒ簸
liǎng两
。
Cooperation should seek mutual benefit; one cannot always be calculating over every minor detail.