xuē​zhǐ​shì​jù

cut the feet to fit the shoes

  1. to pare
    (bound form) used in literary or fixed compounds to mean pare or whittle
  2. foot
    (bound form) foot; specifically the part of the foot used for walking
  3. shì verbadjective
    to fit
    to fit; to suit; to be appropriate or suitable
  4. sandals; to tread
    (bound form) straw or hemp sandals common in ancient China; generally used to refer to any footwear in literary contexts; also used in archaic contexts to mean to step or tread