不依不饶
bù yī bù ráo
to refuse to let a matter drop; to keep on at someone
Character by character
不bù
not
not
依yī
comply
comply
不bù
not
not
饶ráo
let off
let off
Example
不过是被踩了一下脚，他却不依不饶，非要对方赔礼道歉。
He had only had his foot trodden on, yet he would not let it go and insisted on a formal apology.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
依 means to go along with and 饶 to let off: someone who accepts neither apology nor compromise. Usually critical of a person who presses beyond what is reasonable (对方不依不饶); often with 非要 or 揪住…不放.
Learn this in Lesson 142 · HSK 7–9: 追尾以后 (After a bump)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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