ENGLISH
REFERENCE

made in China

idiom
Meaning

Cheaply manufactured; of poor or low quality, (especially) if made in East Asia.


Examples
SIMPLE

This cheap toy is clearly made in China.

CONTEXTUAL

The plastic handle broke after one use, which is typical for items made in China.

COMPLEX

The consumer grew frustrated with the fragile electronics, noting that they were all made in China and lacked any real durability.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all the tea in China

    Something very valuable or priceless.

  2. 02

    bull in a china shop

    A person who is clumsy, aggressive, without care, concern or self-control.

  3. 03

    China syndrome

    A hypothetical kind of catastrophic failure in which a nuclear reactor melts through the floor of its containment system and (if on land) penetrates the Earth's surface, continuing downward as if (from a Western Hemispheric point of view) traveling through the planet toward China.

  4. 04

    have it made

    To have accomplished all there is to do; to have no further work or difficulty.

  5. 05

    made for each other

    Well suited to be in a relationship with one another, especially as romantic or marital partners.

  6. 06

    made in Japan

    Cheaply manufactured; of poor or low quality, especially if made in East Asia.

  7. 07

    made in the shade

    In a condition characterized by comfort, success, easy living, or general well-being.

  8. 08

    made of sterner stuff

    strong and determined (especially more so than someone else, to whom one is being compared).

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