杯水车薪
bēi shuǐ chē xīn
a drop in the ocean
Character by character
杯bēi
cup
cup
水shuǐ
water
water
车chē
cart
cart
薪xīn
firewood
firewood
Example
这点补贴对他家来说只是杯水车薪。
This little subsidy is a drop in the ocean for his family.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
A cup of water thrown on a burning cartload of firewood.
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