英语单词:为五斗米折腰

意思翻译

為五斗米折腰为五斗米折腰

wèi wǔ dǒu mǐ zhé yāo

(allusion to Tao Qian 陶潛|陶潜[Táo Qián], who used this phrase when he resigned from government service rather than show subservience to a visiting inspector) to bow and scrape for five pecks of rice (that being a part of his salary as a local magistrate)

(fig.) to compromise one's principles for the sake of a salary