petty theft; petty thieves; pilfering
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
petty theft; thievery by small-time crooks; pilfering like mice and dogs
literaryA classical idiom originating from the *Records of the Grand Historian* (《史记》), used to describe minor thievery or contemptible criminals. Carries a derogatory tone.
Zhè这
xiē些
bù不
guò过
shì是
shǔ鼠
qiè窃
gǒu狗
dào盗
zhī之
bèi辈
，
bù不
zú足
wéi为
lǜ虑
。
These are merely petty thieves, not worth worrying about.
Tā他
yīn因
wèi为
shǔ鼠
qiè窃
gǒu狗
dào盗
de的
xíng行
wéi为
bèi被
lín邻
jū居
men们
bǐ鄙
shì视
。
He was despised by his neighbors for his petty thievery.
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Zhè这
zhǒng种
shǔ鼠
qiè窃
gǒu狗
dào盗
de的
gōu勾
dàng当
，
shí实
zài在
lìng令
rén人
bù不
chǐ齿
。
Such petty pilfering is truly contemptible.