- 吃力不讨好 chīlìbùtǎohǎo thanklessan arduous and thankless task; strenuous and unrewarding
- 费力不讨好 fèilìbùtǎohǎo thanklessAn arduous and thankless task; strenuous and unrewarding.
- 讨好卖乖 tǎohǎomàiguāi curry favorto curry favor by showing obeisance or behaving in a sycophantic way
- 奉承讨好 fèngchengtǎohǎo fawnto praise or flatter someone excessively in order to gain favor or achieve a desired outcome
- 拼命讨好 pīnmìngtǎohǎo curry favorto throw oneself at someone or bend over backwards to please them, often in a desperate or servile manner