貂不足，狗尾续 — “To make an unworthy addition or continuation”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 貂不足，狗尾续?

①指授官太滥。②指美中不足或以次充好。

貂不足，狗尾续 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to make an unworthy addition or continuation”. To use an inferior substitute for something superior, thereby debasing the original; to compromise quality for quantity. Literally, “Sable tails are insufficient, so dog tails are added”.

Frequency

貂不足，狗尾续 Pronunciation and Pinyin

貂不足，狗尾续 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
貂	diāo	12	marten or sable
不	bù	4	not
足	zú	7	foot, sufficient, full
，	，	—
狗	gǒu	8	dog
尾	wěi	7	animal tail, end, follow
续	xù	11	continue, connect, extend

Example Sentence with 貂不足，狗尾续

这篇小说的开头非常精彩，可惜后面狗尾续貂，草草收场，让人大失所望。

The beginning of this novel was brilliant, but unfortunately, it ended with an unworthy continuation, hastily concluded, which was quite disappointing.

Origin and Story of 貂不足，狗尾续

During the Jin Dynasty, Prince Sima Lun of Zhao was cunning, treacherous, and extremely ambitious. He colluded with Sun Xiu to plot a usurpation of the throne. To ensure the success of his coup, he liberally bestowed official titles upon his subordinates and even their family members.

At the time, officials were required to wear hats adorned with sable tails when attending court. Due to the excessive number of newly appointed officials, sable tails became scarce. Consequently, dog tails were used as substitutes.

Later, Prince Jiong of Qi and others raised an army to suppress Sima Lun, helping Emperor Hui Sima Zhong regain his throne.