nickel-and-dime (also nickel and dime) ( nickeling-and-diming, nickeled-and-dimed, nickels-and-dimes )

• 1. 

  V-T If you accuse a person of nickel-and-diming someone or something, you are criticizing that person for weakening or exhausting them, for example, by continually taking small amounts of money away from them, or by continually making small changes or requests. 耗尽 [美国英语] [非正式]

  例：

  A bad contractor may hide mistakes or blame someone else and nickel-and-dime you with extra charges.

  一个不道德的承包商可能会隐瞒自身的失误或归咎他人，以额外的收费耗尽你的经费。

  例：

  Oakland has been reeling from financial crisis and has been nickel-and-diming essential services for years.

  奥克兰正从金融危机中解脱出来，该市已经在基本服务上挣扎多年了。

• 2. 

  ADJ If you describe someone or something as nickel-and-dime, you mean that they are not very important or they only function on a small scale. 无足轻重的 [美国英语] [非正式]

  例：

  ...a number of nickel-and-dime jobs – janitor, pastry chef, window washer.

  ...一些无足轻重的工作：看门人、糕点师、擦窗工。