the nail that sticks up gets hammered down; punish the one who stands out
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
the nail that sticks up gets hammered down; to punish or make an example of the person who stands out first
neutralOften used to warn against being too conspicuous or taking the lead in a group, as such individuals are often the first to be criticized, punished, or targeted. Carries a cautionary tone about the risks of nonconformity.
Zài在
zhè这
zhǒng种
bǎo保
shǒu守
de的
gōng公
sī司
lǐ里
，
qiāng枪
dǎ打
chū出
tóu头
niǎo鸟
，
méi没
rén人
gǎn敢
tí提
chū出
xīn新
xiǎng想
fǎ法
。
In such a conservative company, the nail that sticks up gets hammered down—no one dares to propose new ideas.
Tā他
zhī知
dào道
qiāng枪
dǎ打
chū出
tóu头
niǎo鸟
de的
dào道
lǐ理
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
yī一
zhí直
bǎo保
chí持
dī低
diào调
。
He understands the principle that those who stand out get shot first, so he has always kept a low profile.
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Chuán传
tǒng统
guān观
niàn念
rèn认
wéi为
qiāng枪
dǎ打
chū出
tóu头
niǎo鸟
，
dàn但
xiàn现
dài代
shè社
huì会
gèng更
gǔ鼓
lì励
chuàng创
xīn新
hé和
gè个
xìng性
。
Traditional values hold that the nail that sticks up gets hammered down, but modern society encourages innovation and individuality.