# 患得患失

huàn dé huàn shī

Worry excessively about gaining or losing

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Fear both obtaining and losing

**Register:** Critical · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe anxious attachment to results or status.

Stronger than sensible risk assessment.

## Understanding the expression

The person worries before receiving something and then worries about losing it afterward. This cycle keeps attention fixed on personal outcomes and makes contentment difficult. It appears in competitive work, exams, and insecure relationships. The expression criticizes an anxious pattern rather than all concern about consequences. Thoughtful preparation can be useful; repeatedly checking whether one has gained enough or might lose everything can interfere with the task itself.

## Examples

她对排名患得患失。

### Traditional Chinese

她對排名患得患失。

tā duì pái míng huàn dé huàn shī 。

She worried excessively about her ranking.

别为一次考试患得患失。

### Traditional Chinese

別為一次考試患得患失。

bié wèi yí cì kǎo shì huàn dé huàn shī 。

Do not become consumed by the outcome of one exam.

他恋爱后总是患得患失。

### Traditional Chinese

他戀愛後總是患得患失。

tā liàn ài hòu zǒng shì huàn dé huàn shī 。

Since starting the relationship, he has constantly worried about losing it.

患得患失让他难以专心。

### Traditional Chinese

患得患失讓他難以專心。

huàn dé huàn shī ràng tā nán yǐ zhuān xīn 。

His anxiety about gains and losses made concentration difficult.

## 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=%E6%82%A3%E5%BE%97%E6%82%A3%E5%A4%B1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=727&webMd=1&la=0)

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