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钻牛角尖 (zuān niú jiǎo jiān) — to waste time on an insignificant or unsolvable problem; to split hairs

Definition

An idiom meaning to obsess over a trivial or unsolvable problem — like 'splitting hairs' or 'bashing your head against a wall'. Used as a verb or noun for the futile overthinking itself.

verb
to waste time on an insignificant or unsolvable problemto split hairs

Examples

  • 钻牛角尖，。
    Tā zǒng xǐ huan zuān niú jiǎo jiān, tǎo lùn yì xiē méi yòng de wèn tí.
    He always likes to split hairs, discussing useless problems.
  • 钻牛角尖，。
    Bié zuān niú jiǎo jiān le, zhè ge wèn tí gēn běn bú zhòng yào.
    Don't waste time on this trivial problem; it's not important at all.
  • 钻牛角尖，。
    Nǐ zhè yàng zuò shì zài zuān niú jiǎo jiān, bù rú huàn gè fāng fǎ.
    You're bashing your head against a brick wall doing this; better to change your approach.
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Idioms & Set Phrases

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