📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to trivial, insignificant details or minor matters that are of little consequence. It describes small problems or petty concerns that do not affect the overall situation. The phrase is often used to advise against over-focusing on unimportant details at the expense of the bigger picture.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom does not originate from a specific classical text or historical anecdote. It is a compound expression formed from the common Chinese words 细微 (fine and small) and 末节 (minor details or trifling matters), which have been used in combination in vernacular Chinese for centuries. The individual components appear in various classical works, such as the Book of Han and later Ming-Qing literature, where 末节 was used to describe matters of secondary importance. Over time, the four-character form 细微末节 became established as a fixed expression in modern Chinese, commonly used in both written and spoken contexts to denote trivialities.
💡 Example Usage
不要在这些细微末节上浪费时间，我们应关注更重要的问题。
Don't waste time on these trivial details; we should focus on more important issues.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 细微末节
- Pinyin: xì wēi mò jié
- Literal Translation: fine, small, minor, detail
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4