吃不开 (chī bu kāi) — to be unpopular; to not work (of ideas, methods, behaviors)
Definition
Used when an idea, method, style, or attitude fails to be accepted or doesn't 'work' socially or in a market. Closely paired with its positive mirror 吃得开 ('be popular / get along well').
verb
to be unpopularto not work (of ideas, methods, behaviors)
Examples
- 吃不开。Zhè zhǒng lǎo bàn fǎ xiàn zài chī bu kāi le.This old method is no longer popular now.
- 吃不开。Tā de tài dù zài tóng shì zhōng chī bu kāi.His attitude is unpopular among colleagues.
- 吃不开。Nà zhǒng fēng gé zài shì chǎng shàng wán quán chī bu kāi.That style is completely unpopular in the market.
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