为 五 斗 米 折 腰

wèiwǔdǒumǐzhéyāo

(allusion to Tao Qian 陶潜 (Táo Qián), who used this phrase when he resigned from government service rather than show subservience to a visiting inspector) to bow and scrape for five pecks of rice (that being a part of his salary as a local magistrate); (fig.) to compromise one's principles for the sake of a salary

Traditional 為五斗米折腰

Meaning

wèiwǔdǒumǐzhéyāowei4 wu3 dou3 mi3 zhe2 yao1

(allusion to Tao Qian 陶潜 Táo Qián, who used this phrase when he resigned from government service rather than show subservience to a visiting inspector) to bow and scrape for five pecks of rice (that being a part of his salary as a local magistrate)
(fig.) to compromise one's principles for the sake of a salary