"Shumù cùn guāng" literally means that a mouse's eyes can only see one inch ahead, serving as a metaphor for a person who is short-sighted and lacks foresight and vision. This idiom originates from the Wen Xuan (Selections of Refined Literature) and carries a clearly derogatory connotation. It is often used to criticize those who focus only on immediate interests while neglecting long-term development. In terms of cultural background, mice are traditionally regarded as symbols of timidity and short-sightedness, so using "mouse eyes" to describe a person's narrow vision is highly vivid. It is widely applicable, such as when evaluating someone who fixates on petty immediate gains and misses long-term opportunities, or when criticizing a policy for lacking strategic vision. It reminds people to broaden their horizons, think from an overall and long-term perspective, and avoid losing the big for the small. Emotionally, this idiom carries a tone of sarcasm and criticism, and its manner of expression is relatively direct.
📝 Example
1. He only cares about this month's bonus and is unwilling to spend time learning new skills—truly short-sighted. (Describing someone with a narrow vision who focuses only on immediate interests.)
2. If a company cuts R&D investment just to reduce costs, that is undoubtedly short-sighted and will lose its future competitiveness. (Describing a lack of long-term vision and neglect of future development.)