to be choosy; pick and choose; cherry-pick
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to be choosy; to pick and choose; to select only what is favorable to oneself (derogatory)
derogatoryOriginally referred to picking only the fat meat and leaving the lean. Now used metaphorically to describe someone who is overly selective about tasks or responsibilities, especially avoiding difficult or less rewarding work. Note: 挑 is pronounced tiāo (first tone), not tiǎo.
Gàn干
gōng工
zuò作
bù不
yīng应
tiāo挑
féi肥
jiǎn拣
shòu瘦
。
When doing work, one should not pick and choose.
Tā他
zǒng总
shì是
tiāo挑
féi肥
jiǎn拣
shòu瘦
,
róng容
yì易
de的
huó活
er儿
cái才
kěn肯
gàn干
。
He always picks and chooses, only willing to do easy tasks.
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Fēn分
pèi配
rèn任
wù务
shí时
,
bù不
yào要
tiāo挑
féi肥
jiǎn拣
shòu瘦
。
When tasks are assigned, don't be choosy.
Wǒ我
men们
duì对
dài待
gōng工
zuò作
bù不
néng能
tiāo挑
féi肥
jiǎn拣
shòu瘦
,
yào要
yǒng勇
yú于
dān担
dāng当
。
We cannot be choosy about work; we must have the courage to take on responsibility.