望梅止渴 look at plums to quench thirst
Explanation
望梅止渴的意思是，看到酸梅就想吃，因为酸梅可以生津止渴，虽然梅子并不在眼前，但人们依然能感觉到唾液在分泌，这是一种心理作用。后来这个成语就用来比喻人们面对现实问题时，不切实际地用空想来安慰自己，而没有采取实际行动。
The idiom "Wàng Méi Zhǐ Kě" literally translates to "look at plums to quench thirst."
Origin Story
话说东汉末年，曹操率领大军征战在外，行军途中，天气炎热，士兵们口渴难耐，可是随军携带的水都喝光了。曹操见此情景，急中生智，便对士兵们说：“前面不远有一片梅林，梅子又酸又甜，可以解渴。”士兵们听了，顿时满口生津，似乎真的喝到了酸甜的梅子。曹操趁着士兵们士气高涨，立即下令继续行军，最后终于找到了水源。
It is said that in the late Han Dynasty, Cao Cao led his army into battle. During their march, it was very hot and the soldiers were suffering from thirst.
Usage
望梅止渴常用来形容人面对困难时，不切实际地用空想来安慰自己，而不去采取实际行动。
"Wàng Méi Zhǐ Kě" is often used to describe people who are facing difficulties and are not taking real action, but instead are comforting themselves with wishful thinking.
Examples
-
面对困难，我们要迎难而上，不能望梅止渴。
miàn duì kùn nan
When facing difficulties, we should face them head-on, not indulge in wishful thinking.
-
有些人的想法过于理想化，总是望梅止渴，不切实际。
wǒ men yào yíng nán ér shàng
Some people's ideas are too idealistic, always indulging in wishful thinking and unrealistic.