聊以自慰 to console oneself
Explanation
聊以自慰的意思是姑且用来安慰自己。表达的是一种无奈的情绪，虽然事情不如意，但是只能用这种方式来安慰自己。
The meaning of liáo yǐ zì wèi is to comfort oneself with something. It expresses a feeling of helplessness; although things are not going well, one can only comfort oneself in this way.
Origin Story
夕阳西下，一位年迈的书生独自坐在书房里，看着窗外飘落的秋叶，心中百感交集。他一生勤奋好学，却始终未能考取功名，如今两鬓斑白，功名未就，不禁感到一阵深深的无力感。他拿起笔，在纸上写下“聊以自慰”四个字，轻叹一声，将笔放下。他知道，这仅仅是自我安慰罢了，但至少能让他在此刻得到一丝慰藉，让他在人生的道路上继续前行。
As the sun set, an elderly scholar sat alone in his study, watching the falling autumn leaves outside the window, with mixed feelings in his heart. He had devoted his life to diligent study, yet had never achieved official success. Now, with gray hair, without official success, he could not help but feel a deep sense of powerlessness. He picked up his pen, wrote the four characters “liáo yǐ zì wèi” on the paper, sighed softly, and put down his pen. He knew this was just self-comfort, but at least it could bring him a little solace at this moment, allowing him to continue on his life’s path.
Usage
常用作谓语、宾语；表示自我安慰。
Often used as predicate or object; to express self-comfort.
Examples
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虽然比赛失利，但我们尽力了，聊以自慰。
suīrán bǐsài shīlì, dàn wǒmen jìnlì le, liáo yǐ zì wèi.
Although we lost the game, we did our best, which is some consolation.
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这次考试没考好，只能聊以自慰了。
zhè cì kǎoshì méi kǎo hǎo, zhǐ néng liáo yǐ zì wèi le.
I didn't do well on the exam, but I can console myself with the fact that I tried my best.