得寸進尺 dé cùn jìn chǐ

ask for more after a small gain; greedy

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. win an inch, want a foot (idiom); fig. not satisfied with small gains
  2. 2. give him an inch, and he'll want a mile

Characters

Character Meaning
得 dé HSK 2
link verb to result or degree; to get; must
寸 cùn HSK 6
a unit of length; inch; thumb
進 jìn
to enter; to go in; to go forward
尺 chǐ HSK 5
a ruler; a Chinese foot; one-third of a meter