包而不办 Accept the task but do not handle it
Explanation
指接受任务或事情后却不实际去办理,只说不做。
Refers to the phenomenon of accepting tasks or matters but not actually handling them. Only talk, no action.
Origin Story
从前,有个秀才,为了博得县令的赏识,夸下海口说能治理好县里的水患。县令果然很高兴,把治理水患的任务交给了他。秀才却认为自己没有这方面的能力,便四处游玩,对治理水患的事置之不理。等到县令问起水患治理的情况时,秀才才想起自己答应过的事情,便编造了许多虚假的理由来搪塞县令,最终不仅没能治理好水患,还耽误了时机,造成了更大的损失。此事传开后,人们便用“包而不办”来形容那些夸夸其谈,不负责任的人。
Once upon a time, there was a scholar who, in order to win the favor of the magistrate, boasted that he could manage the county's water problems. The magistrate was pleased and entrusted him with the task. However, the scholar, feeling incapable, went on a trip, ignoring the matter. When the magistrate inquired about the progress, the scholar, remembering his promise, concocted false excuses. He failed to solve the water problems, causing even greater losses. This story gave rise to the idiom "bao er bu ban", used to describe boastful and irresponsible people.
Usage
多用于批评那些不负责任的人。
Mostly used to criticize irresponsible people.
Examples
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他总是夸夸其谈,结果却包而不办,让人很失望。
ta zongshi kuakuqitan, jieguo que baoburubuan, rang ren hen shiwang.
He always boasts, but in the end, he does nothing, which is very disappointing.
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这个项目他包揽下来,却迟迟不动手,简直是包而不办!
zhege xiangmu ta baolan xia lai, que chichi budong shou, jiangzhi shi baoburubuan!
He took on the project but has been slow to act, he simply does nothing!