半斤八两 (bàn jīn bā liǎng) — two of a kind (usually negative); six of one, half a dozen of the other; tweedledum and tweedledee
Definition
A colloquial idiom meaning 'two sides are equally bad / basically the same' — used to dismiss both parties as no different. Always carries a negative or dismissive tone, never praise.
idiom
two of a kind (usually negative)six of onehalf a dozen of the othertweedledum and tweedledee
Examples
- 半斤八两，。Tā men liǎng gè de jì shù bàn jīn bā liǎng, shuí yě bié xiào hua shuí.Their skills are equally mediocre — neither should laugh at the other.
- 半斤八两，。Zhè liǎng jiā gōng sī de chǎn pǐn zhì liàng bàn jīn bā liǎng, dōu bù zěn me yàng.The product quality of these two companies is about the same — neither is any good.
- ，半斤八两，。Bié zhēng le, nǐ men liǎ bàn jīn bā liǎng, dōu bú shì shěng yóu de dēng.Stop arguing — you two are a pair, neither of you is easy to deal with.
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