量體裁衣 liáng tǐ cái yī

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. measure the body then tailor the suit (idiom); fig. to act according to actual circumstances
  2. To live within one's means.

CHARACTERS

量 liáng
HSK 4
measure, quantity, capacity
體 tǐ body; group, class, body, unit
裁 cái
HSK 5
cut out; decrease
衣 yī
HSK 1
clothes, clothing; cover, skin