螳臂当车 táng bì dāng chē
a mantis trying to stop a chariot; to overrate oneself and attempt the impossible
Literally: mantis arm block cart
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Origin
From the Zhuangzi (Ren Jian Shi): 汝不知夫螳螂乎?怒其臂以当车辙,不知其不胜任也 — a mantis raises its arms to stop a cart, not knowing it cannot.
How to use it
Predicate or attributive; negative, used of hopeless resistance. Often 无异于螳臂当车.
Example sentences
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- 在历史潮流面前，任何阻挡改革的企图都不过是螳臂当车。Zài lìshǐ cháoliú miànqián, rènhé zǔdǎng gǎigé de qǐtú dōu búguò shì táng bì dāng chē.Before the tide of history, any attempt to block reform is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.at history tide before, any obstruct reform (attributive particle) attempt all merely is mantis arm block cart
- 以一家小公司去和行业巨头打价格战，无异于螳臂当车。Yǐ yì jiā xiǎo gōngsī qù hé hángyè jùtóu dǎ jiàgézhàn, wúyì yú táng bì dāng chē.For a small company to wage a price war against the industry giants is like a mantis taking on a chariot.with one (measure) small company go with industry giant fight price war, no-different from mantis arm block cart
More chengyu about animals & fables
- 鹤立鸡群hè lì jī qúnto stand head and shoulders above the rest; a crane among chickens
- 杯弓蛇影bēi gōng shé yǐngto mistake the reflection of a bow for a snake; to be plagued by groundless fears
- 惊弓之鸟jīng gōng zhī niǎoa bird startled by the mere twang of a bow; a person once frightened and now easily panicked
- 老马识途lǎo mǎ shí túan old horse knows the way; experience is a reliable guide
- 如鱼得水rú yú dé shuǐlike a fish in water; perfectly in one's element
- 黔驴技穷qián lǘ jì qióngto have exhausted one's limited tricks; at one's wit's end
- 生龙活虎shēng lóng huó hǔfull of vim and vigour; bursting with energy
- 亡羊补牢wáng yáng bǔ láobetter late than never; to mend the fold after a sheep is lost