碰钉子 pèngdīngzi to meet with a rebuff
How to remember 碰钉子: 碰 to touch + 钉 nail + 子 child = to meet with a rebuff.
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How it is used
- Literally 'to hit a nail' - to be rebuffed / meet a setback: 他去求人帮忙，结果碰了钉子 (tā qù qiú rén bāngmáng, jiéguǒ pèng le dīngzi) he asked for help and got turned down flat.
- A colloquial metaphor; the phrase splits (碰了个钉子). Specifically about being refused or snubbed by someone.