狗眼看人低 gǒu yǎn kàn rén dī to look down on people

Explanation

比喻用轻蔑的眼光看待人，看不起人。形容人势利眼，看不起人。

It is used to describe someone who looks down on others and treats them condescendingly.

Origin Story

从前，有个财主，家财万贯，却是个狗眼看人低的人。他家中来了个穷书生，衣衫褴褛，财主连茶水都没给他倒一杯。穷书生默默地离开了。后来，这个穷书生高中状元，衣锦还乡，财主上门求他办事，书生却说："我记得你，当年你狗眼看人低，对我不屑一顾。如今我虽然是状元，但你的所作所为，依旧让我对你印象极差。"

cóngqián, yǒu ge cáizhǔ, jiācái wàn guàn, què shì ge gǒu yǎn kàn rén dī de rén. tā jiā zhōng lái le ge qióng shūshēng, yīsān lánlǚ, cáizhǔ lián chá shuǐ dōu méi gěi tā dǎo yībēi. qióng shūshēng mòmò de líkāi le. hòulái, zhège qióng shūshēng gāozhōng zhuàngyuán, yījǐn huángxiāng, cáizhǔ shàngmén qiú tā bànshì, shūshēng què shuō: 'wǒ jìde nǐ, dāngnián nǐ gǒu yǎn kàn rén dī, duì wǒ xièyìbùgù. rújīn wǒ suīrán shì zhuàngyuán, dàn nǐ de zuòwéi, yījiù ràng wǒ duì nǐ yìnxiàng jí chā.

Once upon a time, there was a wealthy landlord who was very rich, but he also looked down on others. A poor scholar came to his house, dressed in rags, and the landlord didn't even pour him a cup of tea. The poor scholar silently left. Later, this poor scholar became a high-ranking official and returned to his hometown. The landlord went to him to ask him for a favor, but the scholar said: "I remember you. Back then, you looked down on me. Now, even though I'm a high-ranking official, your actions still left a bad impression on me."

Usage

作谓语、宾语；含贬义。

zuò wèiyǔ, bǐnyǔ; hán biǎnyì

Used as a predicate or object; has a derogatory meaning.

Examples

• 他总是狗眼看人低，看不起那些穷苦人。

  tā zǒngshì gǒu yǎn kàn rén dī, kànbuqǐ nàxiē qióngkǔ rén

  He always looks down on others, despising the poor.

• 有些人狗眼看人低，只和有钱人交往。

  yǒuxiē rén gǒu yǎn kàn rén dī, zhǐ hé yǒuqián rén jiāowǎng

  Some people look down on others and only associate with the rich.

Related Idioms

• 狗眼看人

• 势利眼

Opposite Idioms

• 一视同仁

• 平等相待