Search from various English teachers...
Rachel
Professional Teacher
How to use Chinese idioms? Chinese learners must all know that there are many Chinese idioms. Chinese idioms are usually made only by four characters but they can convey much bigger and deeper meanings, not to mention making you sound smarter too! Today I want to introduce one of the most popular and useful idioms: 因小失大(yin1 xiao3 shi1 da4). It means to forget some smaller things to lose the bigger things. Here’s an example: 为了追女友而辞掉工作真是因小失大! Can you think of any examples where you can use 因小失大?Leave the message and I'll check for you!I meant to write "The meaning of 因小失大 is to get the smaller things to lose the bigger things" . But actually, I like your translation better Beth. Thanks for the correction.Sorry about my bad English.
Dec 15, 2013 9:53 AM
Answers · 4
why do you view a girlfriend as 小? it looks like you put the job higher than family which is totally wrong
December 16, 2013
Sorry, your English explanation does not make sense. You can say things like, 'to lose the big things because of the little things', or 'to lose the big things because you tried to save the little things', or 'to try to save a little only to lose a lot';or 'to be wise or careful in small matters but not in important ones'
December 15, 2013
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!