倒打一耙 dǎo dǎ yī pá to turn the tables

Explanation

比喻自己犯了错误，不仅不承认，反而责怪别人。

It means that one has made mistakes but does not admit them and blames others instead.

Origin Story

话说唐僧师徒西天取经，经过一个村庄时，猪八戒因为贪吃偷吃了村民的西瓜，被村民发现后，八戒不但不承认，反而恶狠狠地指责村民偷懒，不勤快种地，西瓜不够吃，还倒打一耙，说村民诬陷他。唐僧无奈，只好让八戒向村民道歉，并赔偿损失。这个故事就体现了“倒打一耙”的含义，指责别人之前，先要反省自身，不要推卸责任。

huà shuō tángsēng shītú xītiān qǔjīng, jīngguò yīgè cūnzhuāng shí, zhū bājiè yīnwèi tānchī tōu chī le cūnmín de xīguā, bèi cūnmín fāxiàn hòu, bājiè bùdàn bù chéngrèn, fǎn'ér èhēnhēn de zhǐzé cūnmín tōulǎn, bù qín kuài zhòng dì, xīguā bùgòu chī, hái dǎo dǎ yī pá, shuō cūnmín wūxiàn tā。tángsēng wú nài, zhǐ hǎo ràng bājiè xiàng cūnmín dàoqiàn, bìng péicháng sǔnshī。zhège gùshì jiù tǐxiàn le "dǎo dǎ yī pá" de hànyì, zhǐzé biérén zhīqián, xiān yào fǎnxing zìshēn, bù yào tuīxiē zérèn。

On their journey to the West, Tang Sanzang and his disciples passed through a village. Zhu Bajie, driven by greed, stole some watermelons from the villagers. Upon being discovered, instead of admitting his mistake, he fiercely accused the villagers of laziness and insufficient watermelon cultivation. He even falsely accused the villagers of framing him. Tang Sanzang had no choice but to force Zhu Bajie to apologize to the villagers and compensate for his actions. This story illustrates the meaning of "dǎo dǎ yī pá", emphasizing self-reflection and taking responsibility before accusing others.

Usage

作谓语、定语、宾语；指反咬一口；含贬义。

zuò wèiyǔ, dìngyǔ, bǐnyǔ; zhǐ fǎn yǎo yī kǒu; hán biǎnyì

As predicate, attributive, or object; to accuse sb. else; derogatory.

Examples

• 他总是倒打一耙，把责任推卸给他人。

  tā zǒngshì dǎo dǎ yī pá, bǎ zérèn tuīxiē gěi tā rén。

  He always shifts the blame to others.

• 遇到批评，他习惯倒打一耙，反过来指责别人。

  yùdào pīpíng, tā xíguàn dǎo dǎ yī pá, fǎn guò lái zhǐzé biérén

  When criticized, he tends to turn around and accuse others.

Related Idioms

• 反咬一口

• 推卸责任

Opposite Idioms

• 以德报怨

• 光明磊落