一毛不拔

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yī máo bù bá
• English Translation: Not pulling out even a single hair (extremely stingy)
• Idiom Composition: 「一」（One; a single）＋「毛」（Hair; something tiny or insignificant）＋「不」（Not）＋「拔」（To pull out; to pluck）
• Meaning: Literally meaning unwilling to pluck even a single hair from one's body to benefit the world. It is a derogatory term used to describe someone who is extremely stingy, miserly, or selfish with their money and possessions.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「一毛不拔」 contains the following nuances:

• Extreme Parsimony: Refers to an attitude that goes beyond simple frugality, where a person refuses to spend money even when it is appropriate or necessary.
• Emphasis on Selfishness: Carries a nuance of criticizing a person's extreme self-interest and desire to minimize any personal loss, even at the cost of others.

3. Usage

「一毛不拔」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Criticizing Character: Used to condemn people who are unwilling to pay their share, donate, or help others despite having the means. It carries a strong derogatory tone.
  • Example:「那个老板虽然家财万贯，但对员工却一毛不拔，连过节费都不发。」
    （Although that boss is incredibly wealthy, he is extremely stingy toward his employees and doesn't even give out holiday bonuses.）
• The 'Iron Rooster' Metaphor: Often paired with the noun 铁公鸡 (tiě gōng jī), meaning an 'iron rooster' whose feathers cannot be plucked, to emphasize extreme miserliness.
  • Example:「别指望他会请客，他可是个一毛不拔的铁公鸡。」
    （Don't expect him to treat you; he is an iron rooster who won't pluck a single hair.）

Additional Examples:

1. 让他捐款简直比登天还难，他这人向来一毛不拔。
   （Getting him to donate is harder than climbing to heaven; he has always been miserly to the extreme.）
2. 大家都在集资帮助灾区，只有他一毛不拔，遭到了同事们的议论。
   （Everyone was raising money to help the disaster area, but he refused to give a single cent, drawing criticism from his colleagues.）
3. 面对朋友的急需，他依然一毛不拔，真让人寒心。
   （Even when his friend was in urgent need, he remained unwilling to part with a penny, which was truly disheartening.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Historical Origin: This idiom originally referred to the philosophy of Yang Zhu (杨朱), a thinker during the Warring States period (战国时代). He advocated for 'extreme individualism' (为我, wèi wǒ), famously stating that he would not pluck a single hair from his shin even if it would benefit the whole world. While it was once a serious philosophical stance, it later evolved into a purely derogatory term for stinginess.
• The Iron Rooster: In Chinese culture, the term 铁公鸡 (tiě gōng jī), or 'Iron Rooster,' is a common metaphor for a miser. Because the rooster is made of iron, it is impossible to pluck any feathers (hairs) from it. This is why the phrase 一毛不拔 (yī máo bù bá) is almost always associated with this vivid image.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 爱财如命 (ài cái rú mìng): To love wealth as much as one's own life; to be a complete miser.
  • 斤斤计较 (jīn jīn jì jiào): To haggle over every penny or fuss over trivial matters.link
  • 自私自利 (zì sī zì lì): To be selfish and only care about one's own benefit.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 一掷千金 (yī zhì qiān jīn): To throw away a thousand gold pieces in one throw; to spend money lavishly.
  • 慷慨解囊 (kāng kǎi jiě náng): To generously loosen the purse strings; to contribute money or help others open-handedly.
  • 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī): To be completely fair and unselfish.link
  • 大手大脚 (dà shǒu dà jiǎo): To be extravagant or wasteful with money.link

6. Summary

一毛不拔 (yī máo bù bá) is a strong critical expression used to describe someone who is excessively stingy and selfish. Originally a philosophical term referring to extreme individualism, it has evolved in modern usage to describe a person who refuses to spend even a tiny amount of money or help others. It is frequently used alongside the metaphor 铁公鸡 (tiě gōng jī), or 'Iron Rooster,' to emphasize a person's miserly nature.