患得患失 worried about gains and losses
Explanation
患得患失，指既担心得不到，又担心得到了会失去。形容心里总是放不下个人得失，犹豫不决。
Huàn dé huàn shī refers to worrying about not getting something and worrying about losing it once obtained. It describes someone who is always preoccupied with personal gains and losses and indecisive.
Origin Story
春秋时期，齐国有个叫晏婴的人，他深受齐景公的信任，被任命为上卿。一次，齐景公问晏婴：“如果给你很多金银财宝，你会怎么办？”晏婴不假思索地回答：“我会把它们分给穷人，用来救济百姓。”齐景公又问：“如果有人送你一块肥沃的土地，你会怎么办？”晏婴说：“我会把它分给那些没有土地耕种的人，让他们能够安居乐业。”齐景公听后很高兴，赞扬晏婴的品德高尚。然而，晏婴却始终保持着谨慎谦虚的态度，从不因这些赞赏而骄傲自满。他深知人世间充满了变数，荣华富贵转瞬即逝，只有保持一颗平常心，才能不被外物所左右，才能更好地为国为民服务。他的一生，都致力于为齐国的发展做出贡献，深受百姓的爱戴。他从不患得患失，始终以国家利益为重，这正是他成功和受人尊敬的关键。
During the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a man named Yan Ying in the state of Qi, who enjoyed the deep trust of Duke Jing and was appointed prime minister. Once, Duke Jing asked Yan Ying: "What would you do if I gave you a lot of gold and silver?" Yan Ying replied without hesitation: "I would distribute it to the poor to help the people." Duke Jing asked further: "What would you do if someone gave you a fertile piece of land?" Yan Ying said: "I would distribute it to those who have no land to cultivate, so that they can live in peace and prosperity." Duke Jing was very pleased and praised Yan Ying's high moral character. However, Yan Ying always remained modest and humble, never becoming proud because of this recognition. He knew that the world is full of changes and that wealth and fame are fleeting. Only by maintaining inner peace, he would not be swayed by external things, and better serve the country and the people. He dedicated his life to contributing to the development of Qi and enjoyed the love of the people. He was never worried about gains and losses, always prioritizing the interests of the state. This is the key to his success and respect.
Usage
形容一个人对个人的得失过于看重，总是担心失去，又担心得不到，犹豫不决，患得患失通常用于描述人在面对选择或机会时的心理状态。
This idiom is used to describe someone who is overly concerned with personal gains and losses, always worrying about losing something and worrying about not getting something, hence hesitating and indecisive. It's often used to describe a person's mental state when facing choices or opportunities.
Examples
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他总是患得患失，难以做出决定。
tā zǒng shì huàn dé huàn shī, nán yǐ zuò chū juédìng
He is always worried about gains and losses, and finds it difficult to make a decision.
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这次考试，他患得患失，结果发挥失常。
zhè cì kǎoshì, tā huàn dé huàn shī, jiéguǒ fāhuī shīcháng
In this exam, he was worried about gains and losses, and as a result, he performed poorly.
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面对升职机会，他患得患失，最终错失良机。
miàn duì shēngzhí jīhuì, tā huàn dé huàn shī, zuìzhōng cuòshī liángjī
Faced with a promotion opportunity, he worried about gains and losses, and ultimately missed the opportunity