zhēn jiān duì mài máng
sharply opposed to each other, with neither prepared to give an inch (idiom)
针
zhēn
variant of 針|针[zhen1], needle
尖
jiān
pointed; tapering; sharp
对
duì
right; correct
麦
mài
wheat; barley; oats
芒
máng
awn (of cereals)