get snubbed; be rejected; meet with a rebuff
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to get snubbed; to be rejected; to meet with a rebuff
informalA metaphorical idiom suggesting hitting an immovable obstacle (a 'nail'), used for experiencing rejection or a sharp reprimand. Often describes a frustrating or embarrassing social situation.
Tā他
xiǎng想
jiè借
qián钱
，
jié结
guǒ果
zài在
péng朋
you友
nà那
lǐ里
pèng碰
le了
dīng钉
zi子
。
He wanted to borrow money, but ended up getting snubbed by his friend.
Tā他
tí提
le了
gè个
huāng荒
táng唐
de的
jiàn建
yì议
，
zài在
huì会
yì议
shàng上
pèng碰
le了
gè个
dà大
dīng钉
zi子
。
He made an absurd suggestion and was sharply rebuffed at the meeting.
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Zhǎo找
gōng工
zuò作
de的
shí时
hòu候
pèng碰
jǐ几
cì次
dīng钉
zi子
hěn很
zhèng正
cháng常
。
It's normal to face rejection a few times when job hunting.
Tā她
mǎn满
huái怀
rè热
qíng情
de地
qù去
tuī推
xiāo销
，
méi没
xiǎng想
dào到
yī一
chū出
mén门
jiù就
pèng碰
le了
dīng钉
zi子
。
She went out to sell with great enthusiasm, only to be rejected as soon as she stepped out the door.