Correct

比上不足,比下有余

/ bǐ shàng bù zú, bǐ xià yǒu yú /
Strokes
https://i.cchatty2.com/filters:format(webp)/fit-in/684x0/img/202102/比上不足比下有余-Chinese-idioms-Cchatty-577ee260-6f3a-40a6-b1bc-7fb29ab38acb-1612777558.jpg

Collocation

1
算比上不足,比下有余
2
觉得比上不足,比下有余
3
总是比上不足,比下有余
4
比上不足,比下有余的待遇/工资

Definition

比上不足,比下有余

Literally means:

not up to those above, but above those below

Actually means:

It means being inferior to those above but superior to those below. It refers to staying in the middle level between the best and the worst. It also refers to being content with the current situation and happy about staying in the middle level, not caring to achieve the better. Often used to comfort the self or others.

比好的比不上,比差的还算不错。指处于中等水平,不好也不坏。也指满足现状,甘心处在中间状态,不再进一步提高或进取。常用来安慰自己或别人。

Example

Used as a minor sentence or as predicate or attributive. (作小句、谓语、定语)
1
shàng
比上不足
  
,
xiàyǒu
比下有余
  
,
de
dài
待遇
suīrán
虽然
shàng
比不上
mén
部门
jīng
经理
  
,
dàn
zǒng
gāo
le
shǎo
不少
  
,
xiǎngxiǎng
想想
zhèxiē
这些
  
,
gāi
zhī
知足
le
  

Compared to the shortage, compared to the next more, although your treatment than a department manager, but always a lot higher than me, think about these, you should be content.

2
liǎng
háizi
孩子
de
xué
学习
chéng
成绩
shàng
比上不足
  
,
xiàyǒu
比下有余
  
,
zǒngsuàn
总算
méiyǒu
没有
ràng
zài
qīnqi
亲戚
miànqián
面前
diūliǎn
丢脸
  

His two children's academic performance is less than the previous, compared to the next, finally did not let him in front of relatives shame.

3
Xiànzài
现在
  
,
jīng
已经
xiǎng
zài
zuò
shēng
生意
le
  
,
xīn
一心
xiǎng
huídào
回到
gōngchǎng
工厂
píng
自己
de
shǒu
手艺
fèn
shàng
比上不足
  
,
xiàyǒu
比下有余
de
gōng
工资
  
,
guò
ānwěn
安稳
de
zi
日子
  

Now, he no longer want to do business, bent on going back to the factory with their own skills to take a less than, than the rest of the wages, live a stable life.