be calculating and unwilling to make the smallest sacrifice; be mindful of narrow personal gains and losses; haggle over every ounce; minute squaring of accounts ❍ 过去谈定额，斤斤较量，要加这么百分之三，百分之五，会争到面红耳赤。(夏衍《考验》75) When we talked about quotas we used to argue on every small detail. An increase of three or five per cent could make us fight tooth and nail.
斤斤计较jin jin ji jiao
haggle over every ounce
斤斤计较
square accounts in detail;haggle over sth;be calculating
斤斤计较jīn jīn jì jiǎo
斤斤：形容明察，引申为琐屑。在琐屑细微的事情上过分计较。be calculating, weigh and balance at every turn, be particular about