Definition
扯皮 is a colloquial separable verb (离合词) that describes unproductive back-and-forth arguing, often in bureaucratic or team settings where people shift blame and avoid taking responsibility. You can split the syllables — for example, 扯了半天皮 ('argued back and forth for ages') — to insert time or other modifiers. It's used in both workplace contexts (passing the buck) and casual criticism of endless debate over trivial matters.
v.o.
to pass the buckto shirk responsibility by arguingto argue endlessly over trivial matters
Examples
- 扯皮，。Bié zài chě pí le, zánmen gǎnjǐn jiějué wèntí ba.Stop passing the buck — let's solve the problem quickly.
- ，，。Tāmen kāi le sān ge xiǎoshí de huì, yìzhí chě lái chě qù de pí, shénme yě méi dìng xiàlái.They met for three hours, arguing back and forth the whole time, and didn't decide anything.
- ，扯皮。Zhè shì běnlái hěn jiǎndān, yì chě pí jiù fùzá le.This matter was simple at first, but once the buck-passing started, it got complicated.
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