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得寸进尺

dé cùn jìn chǐ
Give an inch, and they'll take a mile.

Get an inch, then advance a foot.

This saying describes someone who is greedy and never satisf...

This saying describes someone who is greedy and never satisfied, always pushing for more after receiving a small concession. It warns against being too accommodating to those who will exploit your kindness.

The idiom uses the Chinese units of measurement (cun and chi) to illustrate escalating demands. It reflects a common concern in social interactions about maintaining boundaries.

Someone might say this when a neighbor asks to borrow a small tool, then keeps borrowing more and more without returning anything.

This saying serves as a caution against unchecked greed and a reminder to set boundaries. It signals that kindness without limits can be taken advantage of, and that one must be firm to prevent exploitation.

#human-nature #caution #social-rules

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