Definition
This is a four-character idiom (chénɡyǔ) that literally means 'if you can get through today, just pass through it'. It describes an attitude of muddling along or drifting through life with no long-term plan or ambition. The tone is slightly negative — it implies laziness, procrastination, or settling for the minimum effort required. You'll use it to criticize someone who avoids challenges and just gets by day-to-day.
f.e.
to muddle alongto drift through life without ambition
Examples
- 得过且过，。Tā gōngzuò yìzhí bàozhe dé guò qiě guò de tàidu, cóng bù zhǔdòng xuéxí xīn jìnéng.He has always had a 'muddle along' attitude at work, never proactively learning new skills.
- 得过且过。Zhè zhǒng dé guò qiě guò de xīntài huì ràng rén shīqù hěnduō hǎo jīhuì.This kind of drifting mentality will make you miss many good opportunities.
- ，得过且过。Niánqīngrén yīnggāi jījí jìnqǔ, búyào dé guò qiě guò.Young people should be proactive and not just muddle along.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.