小作怡情

xiǎozuōyíqíng
  1. (neologism) being “moderately high-maintenance” (i.e. affected and drama queen-like, yet coquettish) keeps the love relationship fun
  2. being “moderately high-maintenance” (i.e. affected and drama queen-like, yet coquettish) keeps the love relationship fun

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

1 小 xiǎo
  1. small
  2. tiny
  3. few
  4. young
=2 作 zuō
  1. (bound form) worker
  2. (bound form) workshop
  3. (slang) troublesome; high-maintenance (person)
=2 作 zuò
  1. to do; to engage in
  2. to write; to compose
  3. to pretend; to feign
  4. to regard as; to consider to be
  5. to be; to act the part of
  6. to feel (itchy, nauseous etc)
  7. writings; works
3 怡情 yíqíng
  1. (literary) to lighten one's heart; to cultivate the mind
  2. to lighten one's heart; to cultivate the mind

Containing this entry

小作怡情，大作傷身 xiǎozuōyíqíng,dàzuōshāngshēn an occasional display of histrionics can add a playful element to a relationship, but overdoing it can lead to a breakup (admonishment derived from the saying 小酌怡情，大酌傷身，大酌伤身 xiǎozhuóyíqíng,dàzhuóshāngshēn)