Definition
鼠目寸光 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that literally means 'mouse eyes, inch-long vision' — describing someone who can only see what's right in front of them and lacks foresight or long-term planning. It's used as a predicate or attribute, often with a critical tone. You can use it to criticize short-sighted decisions in business, life, or policy.
f.e.
shortsightedlacking foresightunable to see the big picture
Examples
- ，鼠目寸光。Tā zhǐ kàn yǎnqián lìyì, zhēnshi shǔ mù cùn guāng.He only looks at immediate gains — truly shortsighted.
- 鼠目寸光。shǔ mù cùn guāng de rén hěn nán zuò chū chángyuǎn guīhuà.Shortsighted people find it hard to make long-term plans.
- 鼠目寸光，。Gōngsī bùnéng shǔ mù cùn guāng, yào zhòngshì wèilái fāzhǎn.The company can't be shortsighted; it must focus on future development.
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