睚眦必报

睚眥必報
yázì-bìbào
idiom #52,603

Meanings

  1. 1 to avenge every slight, however trivial; petty and vindictive

Examples

HSK 4
Gēn yázìbìbào de rén gòngshì hěn lèi.
Working with someone who avenges every little slight is exhausting.
HSK 7-9
Tā wéirén xiǎoqi, yázìbìbào.
He's a petty man who pays back every grudge.

Tips

history
From 《史记·范睢蔡泽列传》: 一饭之德必偿,睚眦之怨必报 - 'repay every meal's kindness, avenge even the slightest glare'. Originally describing Fan Ju of the Warring States; now almost always pejorative.
memory
睚眦 literally = the angry glare you get from a stranger. 必报 = will definitely take revenge. Even a dirty look will be repaid.

Stroke Order

bào