吃力不讨好

• 口(mouth; opening)RADICAL
• 乞(beg for food; ask for food)PHONETIC

An open mouth asking for food is the daily act of eating and drinking.

• 力(strength; muscle)ASSOCIATIVE

The character 力 depicts a flexed arm muscle, symbolizing strength and power.

• 不(no; not; negation)ASSOCIATIVE

A bird flying swiftly upward and never willing to return represents the meaning of swift and unyielding.

• 言(speech; words)RADICAL
• 寸(inch; measure; control)ASSOCIATIVE

Discussion uses spoken words to measure and examine each idea one by one.

• 女(woman; female)RADICAL
• 子(child; offspring)ASSOCIATIVE

A woman standing beside her child represents the most beautiful and happy image.