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画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú)

Meaning: To ruin something by adding unnecessary extras.

Language: Chinese

Literally: Drawing legs on a snake

Category: Animals

Origin: From Zhanguoce (Strategies of the Warring States), 3rd century BC.

More idioms — Animals

  • 鸡同鸭讲 (jī tóng yā jiǎng) — Complete miscommunication; talking past each other.
  • 老虎屁股摸不得 (Lǎohǔ pìgu mō bu dé) — Don't provoke someone powerful or dangerous.
  • Det finns ingen ko på isen — There's nothing to worry about.
  • Engolir sapos — To put up with unpleasant things without complaining.
  • Pagar o pato — To take the blame for something you didn't do.
  • Nu komt de aap uit de mouw — The truth is finally revealed.

More Chinese idioms

  • 脱裤子放屁 (tuō kùzi fàng pì) — Doing something completely unnecessary and pointless.
  • 半斤八两 (bàn jīn bā liǎng) — Six of one, half a dozen of the other — equally bad.
  • 臥虎藏龍 (Wò hǔ cáng lóng) — Hidden talented individuals waiting quietly for their moment to shine.
  • 马马虎虎 (Mǎmǎhūhū) — So-so; careless and only just passable.
  • 拍马屁 (pāi mǎpì) — To flatter or suck up to someone.
  • 亡羊补牢 (Wáng yáng bǔ láo) — It's not too late to act after a setback to prevent further loss.

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