缘木求鱼 Look for fish on a tree
Explanation
比喻方向或方法不对头，不可能达到目的。
A metaphor for the direction or method being wrong and the goal is impossible to achieve.
Origin Story
战国时期，梁惠王一心想称霸诸侯，四处征战，企图用武力扩张自己的地盘。孟子认为梁惠王的做法是缘木求鱼。他指出，梁惠王想要通过战争来达到称霸诸侯的目的，无异于爬到树上去找鱼，根本不可能实现。战争只会带来杀戮和仇恨，只会让各国更加敌对，而不是服从于你。想要统治天下，只有施行仁政，才能得到百姓的爱戴和拥护，才能真正实现自己的目标。梁惠王听后陷入沉思，最终改变了扩张的策略，转向了以德治国。
During the Warring States period in China, King Hui of Liang was determined to conquer the other rulers. He planned to enlarge his territory through military expansion. Mencius believed that this was a hopeless endeavor, comparable to trying to find a fish on a tree. He explained to the king that war would only bring death and hatred, and would only make the other rulers oppose him more rather than obey him. To unify the kingdom, the king must instead use wisdom and virtue and gain the trust of his people. King Hui reflected on this for a long time and finally changed his expansion strategy, focusing on good governance.
Usage
表示做事方法不对头，不可能成功。常用于劝诫他人不要做徒劳无功的事情。
It is used to express that the method is incorrect and cannot succeed. It is often used to warn others against making futile efforts.
Examples
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他这种做法简直是缘木求鱼，注定不会成功。
ta zhe zhong zuofa jianzhi shi yuanmuqiuyu, zhuding bu hui chenggong.
His approach is simply looking for fish on a tree, it is destined to fail.
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不要缘木求鱼了，换个方法试试吧。
buya yuanmuqiuyu le, huan ge fangfa shishi ba
Don't look for fish on a tree, try another way.