qímǎzhǎomǎ

骑马找马

Word · VerbTraditional騎馬找馬

look for horse while riding one; job hunt while employed

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 5 examples
1.

verb

to look for something one already possesses

Often used to point out the irony of searching frantically for an item that is already in one's possession or very close by.

Nǐ你
de的
yǎn眼
jìng镜
bù不
jiù就
dài戴
zài在
tóu头
shàng上
ma吗
 ?
Zhēn真
shì是
qí骑
mǎ马
zhǎo找
mǎ马
 。

Aren't your glasses right on your head? You're literally looking for the horse while riding it.

Bié别
qí骑
mǎ马
zhǎo找
mǎ马
le了
 ,
nǐ你
yào要
de的
wén文
jiàn件
jiù就
zài在
zhuō桌
shàng上
 。

Stop searching everywhere; the document you need is right there on the table.

2.

verb

to look for a better job while currently employed

Commonly used in workplace contexts to describe the strategy of maintaining current employment for financial security while searching for a more desirable position.

Tā他
duì对
xiàn现
zài在
de的
gōng工
zuò作
bù不
tài太
mǎn满
yì意
 ,
zhèng正
zài在
qí骑
mǎ马
zhǎo找
mǎ马
 。

He's not very satisfied with his current job and is looking for a new one while still employed.

Xiàn现
zài在
hěn很
duō多
rén人
xuǎn选
zé择
qí骑
mǎ马
zhǎo找
mǎ马
 ,
yǐ以
què确
bǎo保
jīng经
jì济
wěn稳
dìng定
 。

Many people nowadays choose to job hunt while employed to ensure financial stability.

Show 1 more example
Qí骑
mǎ马
zhǎo找
mǎ马
suī虽
rán然
wěn稳
tuǒ妥
 ,
dàn但
yě也
yào要
xiǎo小
xīn心
bèi被
xiàn现
rèn任
lǎo老
bǎn板
fā发
xiàn现
 。

Although job hunting while employed is secure, you must be careful not to be discovered by your current boss.