自讨苦吃 zì tǎo kǔ chī

to ask for trouble (idiom)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 22292nd word

Definitions

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

Characters

Character Meaning
自 zì HSK 3
self; oneself; from
讨 tǎo HSK 4
to demand or ask for; to provoke; to discuss or study
苦 kǔ HSK 4
bitter; to suffer; hardship
吃 chī HSK 1
to eat; to consume; to eat at (a cafeteria etc)