高不湊低不就 gāo bù còu dī bù jiù

too picky for low jobs, not fit for high ones

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. can't reach the high or accept the low (idiom); not good enough for a high post, but too proud to take a low one

Characters

Character Meaning
高 gāo HSK 1
high; tall; above average
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
湊 còu
to gather together, pool or collect; to move close to
低 dī HSK 4
low; to lower (one's head); beneath
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
就 jiù HSK 2
at once; right away; as soon as