鬼推磨

guǐtuīmò

idiom

Meanings

1 (fig.) to work hard for money; money can get anything done
2 ghosts turn the millstone — used of people who'll do anything if paid

Characters

millstone; mill

Examples

有钱能使鬼推磨，这事儿肯定办得成。

Yǒuqián néng shǐ guǐtuīmò, zhè shìr kěndìng bàn de chéng.

Money can make even ghosts push the millstone — this will definitely get done.

为了钱，他连鬼推磨的活都肯干。

Wèile qián, tā lián guǐtuīmò de huó dōu kěngàn.

For money he'll do any thankless grind of a job.

Tips

usage

Mostly appears in the full saying 有钱能使鬼推磨 (with money you can make ghosts push the mill) — roughly "money talks". The short form 鬼推磨 calls up the whole proverb.

Stroke Order

鬼 guǐ

推 tuī

磨 mó