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得寸进尺

dé cùn jìn chǐ

4-character word Traditional 得寸進尺

What 得寸进尺 means

1. lit. win an inch, want a foot (idiom); fig. not satisfied with small gains
2. give him an inch, and he'll want a mile

The characters in 得寸进尺

• 得destructural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to…
• 寸cùna unit of length; inch; thumb
• 进jìnto go forward; to advance; to go in
• 尺chǐa Chinese foot; one-third of a meter; a ruler

Example sentences

• 得寸进尺。
  Décùnjìnchǐ.
  Give him an inch and he'll take a yard.