隴ろうを得えて蜀しょくを望のぞむ

expression, godan verb (-mu)

never satisfied with what one gets; always wanting more; give an inch and take a mile

A classical Chinese-derived idiom (故事成語) used to criticize insatiable greed or ambition. Literally refers to a historical figure who, after taking the Long region, immediately set his sights on Shu (Sichuan). Used in formal or literary contexts.

• 彼かれは昇しょう進しんしたばかりなのに、もう次つぎの役やく職しょくを狙ねらっている。まさに隴ろうを得えて蜀しょくを望のぞむだ。

  He just got promoted, but he's already aiming for the next position. It's exactly a case of never being satisfied with what one gets.

• あの会かい社しゃは市し場じょうシェアを拡かく大だいした途と端たん、海かい外がい進しん出しゅつを企くわだてている。隴ろうを得えて蜀しょくを望のぞむとはこのことだ。

  As soon as that company expanded its market share, it started planning to go overseas. This is what they mean by giving someone an inch and having them take a mile.