画蛇添足

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 — Complete miscommunication; talking past each other.
• 老虎屁股摸不得 — 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 — Doing something completely unnecessary and pointless.
• 半斤八两 — Six of one, half a dozen of the other — equally bad.
• 臥虎藏龍 — Hidden talented individuals waiting quietly for their moment to shine.
• 马马虎虎 — So-so; careless and only just passable.
• 拍马屁 — To flatter or suck up to someone.
• 亡羊补牢 — It's not too late to act after a setback to prevent further loss.

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