得过且过

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: dé guò qiě guò
• English Translation: Muddling through (living aimlessly without ambition)
• Idiom Composition: 「得」（to be able to / can）＋「过」（to pass / get through (a day or a task)）＋「且」（for the time being / just）＋「过」（to pass / get through）
• Meaning: Literally meaning 'if one can get by, then just get by,' this idiom describes a negative attitude of having no high goals, doing the bare minimum to survive or finish a task, and living without any plan for the future.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「得过且过」 contains the following nuances:

• Lack of Ambition: It criticizes a passive stance where one has no plans for the future or desire for self-improvement, being satisfied with merely maintaining the current state.
• Irresponsible Work Ethic: It describes a 'bare minimum' approach to duties, where the quality of work is ignored as long as the task is technically 'finished.'
• Living Day-to-Day: It refers to a lifestyle of wasting time and avoiding challenges, simply letting the days pass without purpose.

3. Usage

「得过且过」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Criticism of Work or Study Attitude: Frequently used to criticize a sloppy or half-hearted approach to tasks, often as a warning to subordinates, students, or oneself.
  • Example:「对待工作必须精益求精，绝不能抱着得过且过的心态。」
    （We must strive for excellence in our work and never adopt a muddling through attitude.）
• Description of Lifestyle: Used to describe someone living without goals, drifting through life day by day.
  • Example:「自从失业后，他就一直得过且过，完全没有找新工作的打算。」
    （Since losing his job, he has been living aimlessly with no intention of looking for new work.）
• Organizational Stagnation: Describes a company or team that refuses to innovate and is satisfied with just surviving.
  • Example:「这家公司管理层得过且过，导致业绩连年下滑。」
    （The management of this company is content with the status quo, leading to a yearly decline in performance.）

Additional Examples:

1. 年轻时不努力，总是得过且过，将来一定会后悔。
   （If you don't work hard while you're young and just drift along, you will certainly regret it in the future.）
2. 他这种得过且过的作风，让同事们都很不满。
   （His lackadaisical style of working has made all his colleagues very dissatisfied.）
3. 在这个竞争激烈的社会，得过且过就意味着被淘汰。
   （In this highly competitive society, just getting by means being left behind.）
4. 别再得过且过了，给自己定个目标吧。
   （Stop coasting through life and set a goal for yourself.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The phrase appears in the Yuan Dynasty play Xiao Sun Tu (小孙屠) and the works of the famous Song Dynasty poet Lu You (陆游).
• It is often associated with the fable of the Cold-weather Bird (寒号鸟). The bird sings 'the weather is fine today, I'll build a nest tomorrow,' but it never does and eventually freezes to death. This story is a classic allegory for the spirit of 得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò).
• In Chinese culture, 'upward mobility' or 上进心 (shàng jìn xīn) is highly valued. Therefore, being labeled with this idiom is a significant criticism of one's character. It is often linked to the concept of 差不多先生 (chà bù duō xiān sheng) or 'Mr. Close Enough,' a famous satirical character created by Hu Shih (胡适) to criticize the habit of being satisfied with 'good enough.'

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 敷衍了事 (fū yǎn liǎo shì): To work half-heartedly and just go through the motions to get a job over with.
  • 做一天和尚撞一天钟 (zuò yī tiān hé shang zhuàng yī tiān zhōng): Literally 'to hit the bell as long as one is a monk'; to do one's job perfunctorily without any initiative.
  • 无所作为 (wú suǒ zuò wéi): To accomplish nothing; to be inactive and make no contribution.link
  • 听天由命 (tīng tiān yóu mìng): To resign oneself to fate.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng): To constantly strive for perfection and improve even what is already excellent.link
  • 奋发图强 (fèn fā tú qiáng): To work with great determination and resolve to make oneself or one's country strong.
  • 发愤图强 (fā fèn tú qiáng): To be determined to make a strong effort.link

6. Summary

The idiom 得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò) is used to criticize a lack of ambition or a 'good enough' attitude. It describes someone who is content with just getting through the day or a task without any desire for improvement or excellence. It serves as a warning against complacency and laziness in work, study, or life.