自掘坟墓 dig one's own grave
Explanation
比喻自己采取的行动最终导致自己的失败或毁灭。
A metaphor for one's own actions ultimately leading to their own failure or destruction.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀汉皇帝刘备决定攻打东吴，为关羽报仇。临行前，他请来一位著名的术士占卜吉凶。术士来到后，刘备热情招待，并说明来意。术士一言不发，只在一张白纸上画了许多兵马，然后一一撕碎；接着又画了一个大人，在地上挖了个坑埋了。刘备看完后，心中不安，虽然术士没有明说，但他隐约感觉到了这次东征的凶险。然而，刘备为了复仇，还是毅然决然地率兵出发。结果，正如术士所预言的那样，刘备在夷陵之战中大败，蜀汉元气大伤，这也可以说是刘备自掘坟墓。
During the Three Kingdoms period in China, the Shu Han Emperor Liu Bei decided to attack the Eastern Wu Dynasty to avenge Guan Yu. Before setting off, he invited a famous fortune teller to divine good or bad fortune. After the fortune teller arrived, Liu Bei warmly received him and explained his intentions. The fortune teller remained silent, but only drew many soldiers and horses on a piece of white paper, and then tore them all to pieces; then, he drew an adult, dug a pit in the ground and buried him. After Liu Bei watched, he was uneasy; although the fortune teller had not explicitly said anything, he vaguely sensed the danger of this expedition. However, in order to avenge Guan Yu, Liu Bei resolutely led his troops to set off. As a result, just as the fortune teller had predicted, Liu Bei was defeated in the Battle of Yiling, and the Shu Han Dynasty suffered heavy losses. This can also be seen as Liu Bei digging his own grave.
Usage
常用来形容一个人自己做的事情最终害了自己。
Often used to describe how a person's own actions ultimately harm them.
Examples
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他这种做法简直是自掘坟墓。
ta zhe zhong zuofa jianzhi shi zijue fenmu
His actions are tantamount to digging his own grave.
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不要自掘坟墓，要三思而后行。
buya zijue fenmu, yao sanshierhouxing
Don't dig your own grave, think three times before you act.
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他为了个人利益，不顾集体利益，最终自掘坟墓。
ta weile geren liyi, bugu jiti liyi, zhongjiu zijue fenmu
For his personal gain, he disregarded the collective interests, and ultimately dug his own grave.