以酒解酲 — “To try to cure a hangover with more alcohol”

以酒解酲 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to try to cure a hangover with more alcohol”. To use a harmful method to solve an urgent problem, often making the situation worse. Literally, “To use wine to relieve drunkenness”.

Frequency

以酒解酲 Pronunciation and Pinyin

以酒解酲 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
以	yǐ	5	by means of
酒	jiǔ	10	alcoholic beverage
解	jiě	13	untie, explain, or solve
酲	chéng	14	hangover or deep distress

Example Sentence with 以酒解酲

他试图通过借更多的钱来偿还债务，这简直是以酒解酲，只会让情况更糟。

He tried to repay his debts by borrowing more money, which is simply like using wine to cure drunkenness, only making the situation worse.

Origin and Story of 以酒解酲

Liu Ling was famously fond of alcohol. One day, he asked his wife for wine. His wife, worried about his health, smashed the wine vessels, poured out all the liquor, and tearfully implored him, 'You cannot drink any more; it will harm your body. You must quit drinking immediately!'

Liu Ling agreed but insisted on making an oath before the gods to swear off alcohol. His wife was overjoyed and promptly arranged offerings of wine and meat before the altar.

As Liu Ling began to swear his solemn oath to the gods, he simultaneously started drinking the very wine meant for the offering. Predictably, he became drunk again.