東施效顰 dōng shī xiào pín

copy others blindly and look foolish

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to mimick sb's idiosyncrasies but make a fool of oneself
  2. 2. lit. Dong Shi imitates Xi Shi's frown (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
東 dōng
east; surname Dong
施 shī HSK 5
to carry out; to give; to grant
效 xiào HSK 4
effect; efficacy; to imitate
顰 pín
to knit the brows; to scowl