自討苦吃 zì tǎo kǔ chī

DEFINITIONS

  1. to ask for trouble (idiom)
  2. to make a rod for one's own back

CHARACTERS

自 zì
HSK 3
self, private, personal; from
討 tǎo to discuss; ask for, beg; demand; dun; marry
苦 kǔ
HSK 4
bitter; hardship, suffering
吃 chī
HSK 1
eat; drink; suffer, endure, bear