Definition
患得患失 is a four-character idiom that describes a person who is constantly worried about personal gains and losses, often to the point of indecision or anxiety. It literally means 'to worry about gaining and then worry about losing', but it's used figuratively to criticize someone who is selfishly calculating or overly concerned with outcomes. You can use it as a verb phrase in the predicate position, like '他总在患得患失' (He's always worrying about gain and loss).
f.e.
to be overly concerned with personal gains and lossesto be swayed by considerations of gain and loss
Examples
- 患得患失，。Zuò juédìng shí bú yào huàn dé, fǒuzé huì cuòguò hěnduō jīhuì.Don't be overly concerned with gains and losses when making decisions, or you'll miss many opportunities.
- 患得患失。Tā huàn dé de xìnggé ràng tā zài gōngzuò zhōng zǒngshì yóuyù bù jué.His personality of being mindful of personal gains and losses makes him always hesitate at work.
- 患得患失，。Rúguǒ nǐ zǒngshì huàn dé, jiù hěn nán zhēnzhèng xiǎngshòu shēnghuó.If you are always swayed by considerations of gain and loss, it's hard to truly enjoy life.
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