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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