📖 Meaning
To advance an inch but retreat a foot. It metaphorically means gaining little while losing much, describing situations where losses far outweigh any small gains made.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Chapter 69 of the Dao De Jing (道德经), written by Laozi during the Spring and Autumn period. The original text discusses military strategy, stating that one should not act as the aggressor but as the defender, and dare not advance an inch but rather retreat a foot. Laozi used this to illustrate the Daoist principle of non-contention and strategic caution in warfare. Over time, the phrase evolved beyond its military context to describe any situation where one gains little but loses much.
💡 Example Usage
这场交易让他进寸退尺，损失惨重。
This deal left him advancing an inch but retreating a foot, suffering heavy losses.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 进寸退尺
- Pinyin: jǐn cùn tuì chǐ
- Literal Translation: advance, inch, retreat, foot
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4