Zhè běnshū wǒ zhǎo le hǎojǐ nián, zhēnshì tàpòtiěxiéwúmìchù.
I've been hunting for this book for years — truly a case of wearing out iron shoes and still finding nothing.
Tips
history
From Xia Yuanding's 《绝句》 (Southern Song), popularized by the Ming collection 《水浒传》 and the Yuan play 《鲁斋郎》. Nearly always quoted with its second half 得来全不费工夫 — the contrast between fruitless search and effortless discovery is the whole punchline.
usage
Functions as the setup of a two-part saying. Use the full couplet 踏破铁鞋无觅处，得来全不费工夫 when you find something easily right after giving up on finding it.
