split hairs; get bogged down; be obstinate
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to split hairs; to get bogged down in trivialities; to waste effort on insoluble or worthless problems
Often used to criticize someone for wasting time on minor details, theoretical impossibilities, or questions that have no practical answer. Variant forms include 钻牛角 and 钻牛犄角.
Stop splitting hairs—this problem has no solution anyway.
You need to learn to pick your battles in research; you can't always get bogged down in trivialities.
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He always loves to split hairs, arguing endlessly over trivial matters.
verb
to be obstinate; to dig in one's heels; to stubbornly adhere to an opinion without flexibility
Describes someone who refuses to change their mind or consider alternative viewpoints, often to their own detriment.
He is just the type to dig in his heels; once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it.
Don't be so obstinate in life; you need to learn to listen to others' opinions.
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Stop being so stubborn; this won't solve the problem.