待价而沽

待價而沽

dàijià'érgū

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

HSK 2

他不急着找工作，打算待价而沽。

Tā bù jí zhe zhǎo gōngzuò, dǎsuàn dàijià'érgū.

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

HSK 7-9

这位球星待价而沽，迟迟不肯签约。

Zhè wèi qiúxīng dàijià'érgū, chíchí bù kěn qiānyuē.

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

HSK 7-9

古董商往往待价而沽。

Gǔdǒng shāng wǎngwǎng dàijià'érgū.

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