- 钉子户 dīngzihù holdouta householder who refuses to vacate his home despite pressure from property developers
- 碰钉子 pèngdīngzi be rebuffedto meet with a rebuff
- 软钉子 ruǎndīngzi rebuffA tactful, polite, or subtle retort or rejection that is difficult to respond to directly.
- 硬钉子 yìngdīngzi stiff rebuffa metaphor for a flat refusal, a harsh rejection, or a difficult obstacle that is hard to deal with
