见好就收
见好就收 (jiàn hǎo jiù shōu) literally means “see it going well, then stop” and expresses “quit while ahead; take profits”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: jian hao jiu shou, jian hao jiu shou,见好就收 meaning, 见好就收 in english
Quit while ahead; take profits
Pronunciation: jiàn hǎo jiù shōu Literal meaning: See it going well, then stop
Origin & Usage
Seeing (见) that it is good (好) and then (就) taking it in (收). The advice is about stopping, and specifically about stopping while the stopping is voluntary, which is a narrower window than it sounds. 收 is to gather in, the same character used of a harvest. Gambling, negotiation, arguments that have been won: it is what one friend says to another who is about to press an advantage one step too far.
Examples
English: "Knowing when to take profits is key in investing."
Chinese: 在投资中，见好就收是关键。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得不偿失
dé bù cháng shī
Gains not worth the cost or sacrifice
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急于求成
jí yú qiú chéng
Be impatient for success; rush things
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功成身退
gōng chéng shēn tuì
Retire after achieving success
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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兼收并蓄
jiān shōu bìng xù
Embrace diverse ideas inclusively
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当务之急
dāng wù zhī jí
Most urgent priority requiring immediate attention
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急功近利
jí gōng jìn lì
Seek quick success and immediate benefit
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微不足道
wēi bù zú dào
Too slight to weigh at all
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 见好就收 mean in English?
见好就收 (jiàn hǎo jiù shōu) literally translates to “See it going well, then stop” and is used to express “Quit while ahead; take profits”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 见好就收 used?
Situation: Knowing when to take profits is key in investing.
What is the pinyin for 见好就收?
The pinyin pronunciation for 见好就收 is “jiàn hǎo jiù shōu”.