自掘坟墓 — “To bring about one's own downfall or ruin through one's own actions”
自掘坟墓 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to bring about one's own downfall or ruin through one's own actions”. To engage in self-destructive behavior. Literally, “to dig one's own grave”.
自掘坟墓 Pronunciation and Pinyin
自掘坟墓 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 自掘坟墓
Origin and Story of 自掘坟墓
During the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Bei, the ruler of Shu, was preparing to launch an expedition against Eastern Wu. Before starting, he sent for Yi Qi to divine the omens.
When Yi Qi arrived, Liu Bei received him very courteously and explained his intentions. Yi Qi did not speak; he merely drew many soldiers and horses on a white paper, then tore each one to pieces. Afterwards, he drew a grown man, dug a hole in the ground, and buried him.
Later, Liu Bei's eastern expedition ended in complete failure.
Idioms Related to 自掘坟墓
Synonyms of 自掘坟墓
More idioms starting with 自
- zì自shàng上ér而xià下From top to bottom
- zì自xià下ér而shàng上from the bottom up
- zì自bù不dài待yán言goes without saying
- zì自bù不liàng量lì力overestimate one's own abilities
- zì自yè业zì自dé得reap what one has sown
- zì自chǎn产zì自xiāo销produce and sell one's own products
- zì自jīn今yǐ以wǎng往From now on
- zì自jīn今yǐ已hòu后From now on
- zì自jīn今yǐ已wǎng往from now on
- zì自jīn今ér而hòu后from now on
- zì自yǐ以wéi为dé得jì计to fancy one's own clever scheme
- zì自yǐ以wéi为shì是self-righteous and opinionated
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Open the tool →Questions about 自掘坟墓
What does 自掘坟墓 mean?
自掘坟墓 (zì jué fén mù) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to bring about one's own downfall or ruin through one's own actions”.
How do you pronounce 自掘坟墓?
自掘坟墓 is pronounced zì jué fén mù in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 自掘坟墓 literally mean?
Literally, 自掘坟墓 means “to dig one's own grave”. It is used to mean “to bring about one's own downfall or ruin through one's own actions”.
Where does 自掘坟墓 come from?
自掘坟墓 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 自掘坟墓?
掘：挖。自己的所作所为就象在替自己挖掘坟墓一样。比喻自寻死路。