一针一线

一針一線

yìzhēn-yíxiàn

idiom #72,116

Meanings

1 a single needle and thread
2 every tiny thing
3 even the smallest item

Characters

Examples

HSK 6

公司财物，一针一线都要登记清楚。

Gōngsī cáiwù, yìzhēnyíxiàn dōu yào dēngjì qīngchu.

Every last item of company property, no matter how small, has to be properly logged.

HSK 7-9

战士不拿群众一针一线。

Zhànshì bù ná qúnzhòng yìzhēnyíxiàn.

Soldiers don't take so much as a needle or thread from the people.

HSK 7-9

奶奶节俭，连一针一线都舍不得浪费。

Nǎinai jiéjiǎn, lián yìzhēnyíxiàn dōu shěbude làngfèi.

Grandma is so frugal she won't waste even a needle or thread.

Tips

culture

Most famously associated with the PLA's 三大纪律八项注意 ('Three Rules and Eight Points'): 不拿群众一针一线, don't take a needle or thread from civilians. The phrase is now a stock symbol of strict integrity.

history

Recorded in 曹雪芹's 《红楼梦》, where Wang Xifeng claims to know every needle and thread among her maids' belongings.

Stroke Order

一 yī

针 zhēn

线 xiàn