大材小用 dà cái xiǎo yòng

using a talented person in an insignificant position (idiom)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. using a talented person in an insignificant position (idiom)
  2. 2. a sledgehammer to crack a nut

Characters

Character Meaning
大 dà HSK 1
big; large; great
材 cái HSK 4
material; timber; ability
小 xiǎo HSK 1
small; young; tiny
用 yòng HSK 3
to use; to employ; to have to