自讨苦吃

自討苦吃
zìtǎo-kǔchī
idiom #22,204

Meanings

  1. 1 to ask for trouble
  2. 2 to bring suffering upon oneself
  3. 3 to make a rod for one's own back

Examples

HSK 7-9
Tā míngzhīdào nàge xiàngmù yǒu fēngxiǎn hái yào jiē, zhēnshì zìtǎokǔchī.
He knew the project was risky but took it on anyway - truly asking for trouble.
HSK 7-9
Bù tīng quàngào, nǐ zhè shì zìtǎokǔchī.
By not listening to advice, you are bringing trouble on yourself.

Tips

memory
Literally 'to seek out bitterness to eat' - you are the one actively going looking for your own suffering. Picture someone walking up to a bitter melon and taking a bite on purpose.

Stroke Order

tǎo
chī