患得患失 (huàn dé huàn shī) — to be overly concerned with personal gains and losses; to be swayed by considerations of gain and loss

Definition

A chengyu meaning to obsess over personal gains and losses so much that you can't commit to a decision. Carries a negative judgment on someone who weighs every pro and con too heavily.

idiom
to be overly concerned with personal gains and lossesto be swayed by considerations of gain and loss

Examples

  • 患得患失
    Zuò jué dìng shí bú yào huàn dé huàn shī, fǒu zé huì cuò guò hěn duō jī huì.
    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 huàn shī de xìng gé ràng tā zài gōng zuò zhōng zǒng shì yóu yù bù jué.
    His personality of being mindful of personal gains and losses makes him always hesitate at work.
  • 患得患失
    Rú guǒ nǐ zǒng shì huàn dé huàn shī, jiù hěn nán zhēn zhèng xiǎng shòu shēng huó.
    If you are always swayed by considerations of gain and loss, it's hard to truly enjoy life.

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