diamond cut diamond; tit for tat
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to be in sharp conflict; to confront each other with equal intensity; diamond cut diamond
Describes a situation where two parties are equally matched in an argument or conflict, neither willing to back down. Often used for verbal confrontations. The imagery compares a needle tip (sharp and pointed) against the awn of wheat (also sharp and pointed), suggesting a clash of equals.
Liǎng两
gè个
rén人
nǐ你
yī一
jù句
，
wǒ我
yī一
jù句
，
zhēn针
jiān尖
duì对
mài麦
máng芒
，
yuè越
chǎo吵
yuè越
lì厉
hai害
。
The two of them went back and forth, tit for tat, and the argument grew fiercer and fiercer.
Zhè这
liǎng两
gè个
duì队
shí实
lì力
xiāng相
dāng当
，
bǐ比
sài赛
dǎ打
de得
zhēn针
jiān尖
duì对
mài麦
máng芒
。
These two teams are evenly matched, and the game is a fierce, head-to-head battle.
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Tā他
men们
liǎ俩
zhēn针
jiān尖
duì对
mài麦
máng芒
，
shéi谁
yě也
bù不
kěn肯
ràng让
bù步
。
The two of them are at loggerheads, and neither is willing to back down.