空头支票 Empty check
Explanation
指不能兑现的支票或不准备实现的诺言。比喻没有实际内容的保证或承诺。
Refers to a check that cannot be cashed or a promise that is not intended to be kept. It is a metaphor for an empty guarantee or commitment.
Origin Story
从前，有个商人名叫阿福，他生意做得很大，但是为人狡猾，喜欢夸夸其谈。一天，他去拜访一位老客户李老板，为了争取更多的生意，阿福信誓旦旦地承诺：“李老板，您放心，我保证下个月给您提供一百匹上等丝绸，绝对不会让您失望！”李老板听了很高兴，当即拍板决定继续与阿福合作。然而，一个月过去了，两月过去了，阿福却始终没有送来丝绸。李老板多次催促，阿福总是找各种借口推脱，最后干脆不接电话了。李老板这才明白，阿福的承诺只是一张空头支票，他被阿福的虚假承诺给欺骗了，从此以后再也不相信阿福了。这个故事告诉我们，做人要诚实守信，不能随意许诺，更不能用空头支票来欺骗别人，否则最终只会害人害己。
Once upon a time, there was a businessman named Afu who had a large business but was cunning and boastful. One day, he visited an old customer, Mr. Li. To secure more business, Afu solemnly promised: "Mr. Li, rest assured, I guarantee to provide you with one hundred bolts of top-grade silk next month. You will not be disappointed!" Mr. Li was delighted and immediately decided to continue cooperating with Afu. However, a month passed, two months passed, and Afu still did not deliver the silk. Mr. Li urged him many times, but Afu always found excuses to evade the issue, and finally stopped answering the phone altogether. Mr. Li then realized that Afu's promise was just an empty check. He had been deceived by Afu's false promise and never trusted Afu again. This story tells us that one must be honest and trustworthy, must not make arbitrary promises, and must not deceive others with empty checks, otherwise they will ultimately harm themselves.
Usage
用于比喻那些不切实际的承诺或保证。
Used to describe unrealistic promises or guarantees.
Examples
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他答应帮忙，结果却什么也没做，真是给了我们一张空头支票。
tā dāying bāngmáng, jiéguǒ què shénme yě méi zuò, zhēnshi gěi le wǒmen yī zhāng kōngtóu zhīpiào
He promised to help, but he did nothing. It was a mere empty promise.
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不要轻信那些空头支票，要看实际行动。
bùyào qīngxìn nàxiē kōngtóu zhīpiào, yào kàn shíjì xíngdòng
Don't believe empty promises; look at actual actions instead.