待价而沽

待價而沽

dàijiàérgū

idiom #42,198

Meanings

1 to wait for a good price before selling
2 to hold out for the right offer
3 to bide one's time for the best opportunity

Characters

Examples

他不急着找工作，打算待价而沽。

Tā bù jízhe zhǎo gōngzuò, dǎsuàn dàijià ér gū.

He's not rushing to find a job — he plans to hold out for the right offer.

这位球星待价而沽，迟迟不肯签约。

Zhè wèi qiúxīng dàijià ér gū, chíchí bù kěn qiānyuē.

This star player is waiting for the right offer and refuses to sign.

古董商往往待价而沽。

Gǔdǒng shāng wǎngwǎng dàijià ér gū.

Antique dealers often hold out for the best price.

Tips

history

From 《论语·子罕》: Confucius told a student he was like a fine jade waiting for the right buyer — 沽之哉！沽之哉！我待贾者也 ('Sell it! Sell it! I am waiting for the right buyer'), meaning a worthy scholar waits for a ruler who values him.

Stroke Order

待 dài

价 jià

而 ér

沽 gū