後院起火 hòu yuàn qǐ huǒ

DEFINITIONS

  1. a fire in one's backyard
  2. conflict close to home

CHARACTERS

後 hòu behind, rear, after; descendents
院 yuàn courtyard, yard, court; school
起 qǐ rise, stand up; go up; begin
火 huǒ fire, flame; burn; anger, rage