# 待价而沽

dài jià ér gū

Wait for a favorable offer

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Wait for a price before selling

**Traditional Chinese:** 待價而沽

**Register:** Strategic · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe withholding sale or services until a suitable offer arrives.

Can sound calculating when applied to people or talent.

## Understanding the expression

A seller does not accept the first offer but waits for a price that reflects the item's value. The expression describes that strategic patience, literally for goods or figuratively for employment and expertise. It can suggest confidence in value or opportunistic calculation. Waiting carries its own risk because a better offer may never arrive. The phrase describes the stance toward offers, not a guarantee that patience will produce a superior outcome.

## Examples

房主待价而沽，不急着卖。

### Traditional Chinese

房主待價而沽，不急著賣。

fáng zhǔ dài jià ér gū ， bù jí zhe mài 。

The owner waits for a good offer before selling.

他有多项专利，正在待价而沽。

### Traditional Chinese

他有多項專利，正在待價而沽。

tā yǒu duō xiàng zhuān lì ， zhèng zài dài jià ér gū 。

With several patents, he is waiting for a favorable offer.

这幅画一直待价而沽。

### Traditional Chinese

這幅畫一直待價而沽。

zhè fú huà yì zhí dài jià ér gū 。

The painting remains available pending a suitable price.

她不愿待价而沽，先选适合自己的工作。

### Traditional Chinese

她不願待價而沽，先選適合自己的工作。

tā bú yuàn dài jià ér gū ， xiān xuǎn shì hé zì jǐ de gōng zuò 。

She prefers a suitable job to waiting for the highest bidder.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BE%85%E5%83%B9%E8%80%8C%E6%B2%BD)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=510&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [当机立断 dāng jī lì duàn Make a prompt decision at the crucial moment ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/dang-ji-li-duan)

- [当务之急 dāng wù zhī jí The most pressing task at present ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/dang-wu-zhi-ji)

- [倒行逆施 dào xíng nì shī Act perversely against sound principles or progress ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/dao-xing-ni-shi)

- [得不偿失 dé bù cháng shī The gain does not make up for the loss ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/de-bu-chang-shi)

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