一毛不拔 yìmáo-bùbá literally unwilling to spare a single hair
literally unwilling to spare a single hair (idiom); figuratively extremely stingy
How to remember 一毛不拔: 一 one + 毛 hair + 不 not + 拔 to pull out = literally unwilling to spare a single hair.
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How it is used
- 'Won't part with a single hair' = extremely stingy, tight-fisted - 他一毛不拔,从不请客 (tā yìmáo-bùbá, cóngbù qǐngkè) he's a total miser, never treats anyone.
- A pointed, humorous jab at a person's meanness with money. Near 小气 (xiǎoqì, stingy) but far more vivid and cutting.
- Colloquial; often describes a 铁公鸡 (tiěgōngjī, an 'iron rooster' from which you can't pluck a feather).