拖泥带水 tuō ní dài shuǐ

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. wading in mud and water
  2. a slovenly job
  3. sloppy

CHARACTERS

拖 tuō drag, tow, haul; delay, prolong
泥 ní mud, mire; earth, clay; plaster
带 dài belt, girdle, band, strap, zone
水 shuǐ water, liquid, lotion, juice