měi美beautyzhōng中middlebù不notzú足sufficient
A fly in the ointment; a blemish in perfection; a minor flaw.
Literal meaning
beauty (美) — middle (中) — not (不) — sufficient (足)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing something that is mostly good but has a small imperfection.
Examples
zhè这cì次lǚ旅xíng行hěn很yú愉kuài快，měi美zhōng中bù不zú足de的shì是tiān天qì气bù不tài太hǎo好。
The trip was very enjoyable, but the only flaw was that the weather wasn't very good.
zhè这jiàn件yī衣fu服hěn很piào漂liang亮，měi美zhōng中bù不zú足de的shì是yǒu有diǎn点guì贵。
This dress is very beautiful, but the only flaw is that it's a bit expensive.
Usage & nuances
Used to point out a minor imperfection in something that is otherwise good.
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