穿小鞋

chuānxiǎoxié

phrase HSK 7-9 #54,118

Meanings

1 to have one's life made difficult by someone in authority
2 to be given a hard time
3 to be secretly retaliated against

Characters

to wear; to put on

Examples

HSK 3

小心别被人穿小鞋。

Xiǎoxīn bié bèi rén chuānxiǎoxié.

Be careful not to have someone make life difficult for you.

HSK 7-9

他得罪了领导，被穿了小鞋。

Tā dézuì le lǐngdǎo, bèi chuān le xiǎoxié.

He offended his boss and was given a hard time.

HSK 7-9

她怀疑上司在给她穿小鞋。

Tā huáiyí shàngsī zài gěi tā chuānxiǎoxié.

She suspected her boss was secretly retaliating against her.

Tips

history

The metaphor comes from literally wearing shoes that are too small - uncomfortable and restricting. It describes a superior using their authority to make things subtly difficult for a subordinate, often as petty revenge.

grammar

Usually used in passive constructions: 被穿小鞋 or 给某人穿小鞋.

Stroke Order

穿 chuān

小 xiǎo

鞋 xié