吃眼前亏 chī yǎn qián kuī — to suffer an immediate, obvious loss

Definitions

1. to suffer an immediate, obvious loss

Examples

• 好汉不吃眼前亏，他先避开了对方的锋芒。

  A wise man avoids taking an immediate loss, so he first gave way to the other's aggression.

• 跟这种人硬顶，只会让自己吃眼前亏。

  Standing up to such a person head-on would only make you suffer a loss right now.