寸進尺退

Reading

Kana: すんしんしゃくたい

Romaji: sunshinshakutai

Definition

noun

vs

1

one step forward, many steps backward; little to gain and much to lose

Note: yojijukugo

Kanji

寸

Reading: スン

Meanings: measurement, tenth of a shaku, a little, small

進

Readings: シン、 すす.む、 すす.める

Meanings: advance, proceed, progress, promote

尺

Reading: シャク

Meanings: shaku, Japanese foot, measure, scale, rule

退

Readings: タイ、 しりぞ.く、 しりぞ.ける、 ひ.く、 の.く、 の.ける、 ど.く

Meanings: retreat, withdraw, retire, resign, repel, expel, reject