Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'get an inch, advance a foot'. It describes someone who, after receiving a small favor or concession, demands even more — like the English saying 'give an inch and take a mile'. Use it to criticize greedy or overreaching behavior.
id.
to be insatiableto give an inch and take a mileto be greedy and keep asking for more
Examples
- ，得寸进尺，。Tā yǐjīng dédào hěn duō bāngzhù le, hái dé cùn jìn chǐ, zhēn ràng rén shēngqì.He's already received a lot of help, yet he's still insatiable — it's really annoying.
- 得寸进尺，。Tánpàn zhōng duìfāng dé cùn jìn chǐ, wǒmen zhǐ néng zhōngzhǐ hézuò.During the negotiations, the other side was insatiable, so we had to halt the cooperation.
- 得寸进尺，。Zuòrén bù néng dé cùn jìn chǐ, yào dǒngde shìkě'érzhǐ.One shouldn't be insatiable; one must know when enough is enough.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.