低三下四 (dī sān xià sì) — servile, obsequious; to act in a lowly manner to please others
Definition
A derogatory chengyu meaning 'fawning and servile' — describes someone who grovels or humbles themselves to gain favor. Stronger and more contemptuous than a simple 'polite' or 'humble.'
idiom
servileobsequiousto act in a lowly manner to please others
Examples
- ,低三下四。Tā wèi le shēng zhí, zài lǎo bǎn miàn qián dī sān xià sì de.He acts servilely in front of the boss to get a promotion.
- 低三下四。Wǒ bù xǐ huan nà zhǒng dī sān xià sì de tài dù.I don't like that kind of obsequious attitude.
- ,低三下四。Zuò rén yào yǒu gǔ qì, bú yào dī sān xià sì.A person should have backbone and not be servile.
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