Meaning
Literally 'iron rooster,' this colorful idiom describes someone extremely stingy who refuses to spend money or share resources. The image comes from the impossibility of plucking feathers from an iron rooster—just as you cannot get money from a miser.
Usage
This is an informal, slightly humorous expression used in everyday conversation to criticize or tease someone for being cheap. It's not vulgar but is clearly negative. Often used in the phrase '一毛不拔的铁公鸡' (won't pull out even one hair/feather).
Examples
- 01他是有名的铁公鸡，从来不请客吃饭。, .He's a well-known miser who never treats anyone to a meal.
- 02别指望她帮忙，她是一毛不拔的铁公鸡。, .Don't count on her for help—she's an absolute cheapskate who won't part with a penny.
Characters
Measure words
- 个他是个铁公鸡
Common collocations
- 一毛不拔的铁公鸡absolute miser (won't part with a penny)
- 真是个铁公鸡what a cheapskate
Antonyms
Origin
The phrase builds on the older saying '一毛不拔' (won't pull out even one hair), attributed to the ancient philosopher Yang Zhu. The 'iron rooster' image makes this concrete: an iron rooster has no real feathers to pluck, symbolizing someone from whom you cannot extract anything.