耗不起

• 拼音: hào bù qǐ
• 汉字拆解: 耗 (consume) + 不起 (cannot bear / afford) -> cannot keep paying the cost.

含义

Unable to afford the time, money, energy, or emotional cost of dragging something out.

It is used when delays, negotiations, relationships, or procedures are too costly to continue. The mood is pragmatic and weary.

例句

1. 这个项目再拖，我们真的耗不起。
2. 来回跑手续太耗不起了。
3. 不合适就早说，大家都耗不起。

用法指南

语境: friends, workplace, campus

语气: weary, decisive

正确说法

• 时间成本太高时说耗不起。（Use it when the ongoing cost is too high.）

错误说法

• 把一次小等待说成耗不起。（It implies meaningful accumulated cost.）

常见错误

• Assuming it only means money; it often means time or emotion.

起源与历史

From 耗, to consume or wear down, plus 不起, cannot afford.

文化背景

时代: 2010s-2020s

世代: Students, Gen Z, and young office workers

社会背景: Urban internet users

地区说明: Appears in adulting talk about work, bureaucracy, dating, and housing.