bēi​shuǐ​chē​xīn

utterly inadequate

Senses

杯水车薪/ 杯水車薪 bēi​shuǐ​chē​xīn utterly inadequate

literally a cup of water to put out a burning cart of firewood; describes a tiny effort or amount that is useless against a huge problem

References

variant 杯水车薪/杯水車薪 杯水舆薪/杯水輿薪
synonym 粥少僧多/粥少僧多 杯水车薪/杯水車薪