食言而肥 shí yán ér féi

lit. to grow fat eating one's words (idiom)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 68599th word

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. to grow fat eating one's words (idiom)
  2. 2. fig. not to live up to one's promises

Characters

Character Meaning
食 shí HSK 5
to eat; food; animal feed
言 yán HSK 4
to say; to talk; speech
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
肥 féi HSK 4
fat; loose-fitting or large; fertile