锱铢必较
zī zhū bì jiào
to haggle over every penny; to quibble over the smallest amounts
Character by character
锱zī
tiny weight
tiny weight
铢zhū
tiny weight
tiny weight
必bì
must
must
较jiào
haggle
haggle
Example
他做生意锱铢必较，跟朋友吃饭却很大方。
In business he fights over every last cent, but when he eats out with friends he is generous.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
锱 and 铢 were tiny ancient weights: 24 铢 made one 两, and six 铢 one 锱. Usually critical of pettiness about money or small gains; used of accounts and contracts it can simply mean scrupulous (账目上锱铢必较).
Learn this in Lesson 201 · HSK 7–9: 读懂工资条 (Reading your payslip)
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