碰钉子 (pèng dīng zi) — (phrase) to be rebuffed; to meet with a refusal

Definition

碰钉子 literally 'bump into a nail' — a colloquial idiom meaning to be rejected or told no, often in a blunt or embarrassing way. Often paired with 软 (软钉子 = a polite refusal).

phrase
to be rebuffedto meet with a refusal

Examples

  • 碰钉子
    Tā qù zhǎo lǐng dǎo shěn pī fāng àn, jié guǒ pèng dīng zi le.
    He went to the leader for approval of the plan, but ended up being rebuffed.
  • Xiǎo wáng xiǎng jiā rù nà ge shè tuán, méi xiǎng dào pèng le yí gè ruǎn dīng zi.
    Xiao Wang wanted to join that club, but unexpectedly received a polite refusal.
  • 碰钉子
    Měi cì xiàng tā biǎo bái dōu pèng dīng zi, wǒ jué dìng fàng qì le.
    Every time I confess to her, I'm rebuffed; I've decided to give up.

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