a needle or a piece of thread ❍ 人民解放军纪律严明，公买公卖，不许妄取民间～。(《毛泽东选集》1348) The People’s Liberation Army is highly disciplined; it is fair in buying and selling and is not allowed to take even a needle or a piece of thread from people./ （二） 不拿群众～； …… (《毛泽东选集》 1137) (2) Don’t take a single needle or piece of thread from the masses. ❍ ～，他们也没得收藏。(《红楼梦》965) They haven’t so much as a needle or thread themselves.
一针一线yī zhēn yī xiàn
一根针，一根线。比喻十分微小、不值钱的东西。stitch by stitch, small things