引火烧身 Yǐn huǒ shāo shēn bring trouble on oneself

Explanation

比喻自找麻烦或自取灭亡。现在也指主动暴露自己的缺点错误，以争取大家的批评帮助。

A metaphor for bringing trouble on oneself or self-destruction. Now, it also refers to actively exposing one's own shortcomings and mistakes to seek criticism and help from others.

Origin Story

从前，在一个偏僻的小山村里，住着一位名叫阿牛的年轻人。阿牛为人善良，乐于助人，但同时也有些冲动鲁莽。一天，村里发生了一场大火，眼看着火势越来越大，阿牛不顾个人安危，冲进火海救人。虽然他成功地救出了很多人，但他自己却被烧伤了，身上多处受伤。村民们对阿牛的行为非常感动，纷纷称赞他的勇敢和奉献精神。但同时也有人劝告他，以后做事要谨慎小心，不要再如此鲁莽行事。阿牛听了大家的劝告后，深受触动，他意识到自己之前的行为虽然出于好心，但也存在很大的风险。从此以后，阿牛做事更加谨慎，并把这次教训铭记在心。这个故事告诉我们，做人要善良，要乐于助人，但同时也应该谨慎小心，不要因为一时冲动而引火烧身，给自己带来不必要的麻烦。

cóngqián, zài yīgè piānpì de xiǎoshān cūn lǐ, zhùzhe yī wèi míng jiào ā niú de niánqīng rén. ā niú wéirén shànliáng, lèyú zhùrén, dàn tóngshí yě yǒuxiē chōngdòng lǔmǎng. yī tiān, cūn lǐ fāshēng le yī chǎng dà huǒ, yǎn kànzhe huǒshì yuè lái yuè dà, ā niú bùgù gèrén ānwēi, chōng jìn huǒhǎi jiù rén. suīrán tā chénggōng de jiù chū le hěn duō rén, dàn tā zìjǐ què bèi shāoshāng le, shēnshang duō chù shòushāng. cūn mínmen duì ā niú de xíngwéi fēicháng gǎndòng, fēnfēn chēngzàn tā de yǒnggǎn hé fèngxiàn jīngshen. dàn tóngshí yě yǒu rén quàngào tā, yǐhòu zuòshì yào jǐnshèn xiǎoxīn, bùyào zài rúcǐ lǔmǎng xíngshì. ā niú tīng le dàjiā de quàngào hòu, shēnshòu chùdòng, tā yìshí dào zìjǐ zhīqián de xíngwéi suīrán chūyú hǎoxīn, dàn yě cúnzài hěn dà de fēngxiǎn. cóngcǐ yǐhòu, ā niú zuòshì gèngjiā jǐnshèn, bìng bǎ zhè cì jiàoxùn míngjì zài xīn. zhège gùshì gàosù wǒmen, zuòrén yào shànliáng, yào lèyú zhùrén, dàn tóngshí yě yīnggāi jǐnshèn xiǎoxīn, bùyào yīnwèi yīshí chōngdòng ér yǐn huǒ shāo shēn, gěi zìjǐ dài lái bù bìyào de máfan.

Once upon a time, in a remote mountain village, lived a young man named An Niu. An Niu was kind and helpful, but also somewhat impulsive and reckless. One day, a big fire broke out in the village. An Niu, disregarding his own safety, rushed into the fire to save people. Although he successfully rescued many people, he was burned and injured himself. The villagers were deeply moved by An Niu's actions and praised his bravery and dedication. However, some people also advised him to be more cautious in the future and not to act so recklessly again. An Niu was deeply touched by the advice of everyone, and he realized that his previous behavior, although well-intentioned, also had great risks. From then on, An Niu became more cautious in doing things and kept this lesson in mind. This story tells us that one should be kind and helpful, but should also be cautious and not bring trouble on oneself because of momentary impulse.

Usage

多用于比喻，指自找麻烦或自取灭亡，也指主动暴露缺点错误以求改进。

duō yòng yú bǐyù, zhǐ zì zhǎo máfan huò zì qǔ mièwáng, yě zhǐ zhǔdòng bàolù quēdiǎn cuòwù yǐ qiú gǎijiàn

Mostly used metaphorically, referring to self-inflicted trouble or self-destruction, also refers to actively exposing shortcomings and mistakes for improvement.

Examples

• 他总是喜欢多管闲事，结果引火烧身，自讨苦吃。

  tā zǒngshì xǐhuan duōguǎn xiánshì, jiéguǒ yǐn huǒ shāo shēn, zìtǎo kǔ chī

  He always liked to meddle in other people's business, and it ended up causing trouble for himself.

• 这次的失败让他引火烧身，损失惨重。

  zhè cì de shībài ràng tā yǐn huǒ shāo shēn, sǔnshī cǎnzhòng

  This failure caused him great loss.

• 不要为了小事而引火烧身，得不偿失。

  bùyào wèile xiǎoshì ér yǐn huǒ shāo shēn, dě bù cháng shī

  Don't cause yourself trouble over small things, it's not worth it.

Related Idioms

• 自作自受

• 自食其果

• 玩火自焚

Opposite Idioms

• 袖手旁观

• 置之不理