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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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