以邻为壑

以鄰為壑

yǐlínwéihè

idiom

Meanings

1 to shift one's troubles onto one's neighbor
2 beggar-thy-neighbor
3 lit. to use one's neighbor as a drainage ditch

Characters

Examples

这种以邻为壑的做法不会得到国际社会的支持。

Zhè zhǒng yǐ lín wéi hè de zuòfǎ bù huì dédào guójì shèhuì de zhīchí.

This beggar-thy-neighbor approach will not win international support.

处理环境问题不能以邻为壑。

Chǔlǐ huánjìng wèntí bùnéng yǐ lín wéi hè.

We can't solve environmental problems by dumping them on our neighbors.

各国应合作应对疫情，而不是以邻为壑。

Gèguó yīng hézuò yìngduì yìqíng, ér bùshì yǐ lín wéi hè.

Countries should cooperate to handle the epidemic, not shift the burden to neighbors.

Tips

history

From 《孟子·告子下》 (Mencius): Mencius contrasts the sage-king Yu — who directed floods to the sea — with his contemporary Bai Gui, who diverted floods into neighboring states. 'Using one's neighbor as a ditch' (以邻国为壑) became a reproach against selfish statecraft.

register

Formal; frequent in diplomatic and economic commentary. English 'beggar-thy-neighbor' is a close match.

Stroke Order

以 yǐ

邻 lín

为 wèi

壑 hè