以邻为壑

以鄰為壑

yǐlín-wéihè

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

HSK 3

这种以邻为壑的做法不会得到国际社会的支持。

Zhèzhǒng yǐlín-wéihè de zuòfǎ bùhuì dédào guójì shèhuì de zhīchí.

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

HSK 3

处理环境问题不能以邻为壑。

Chǔlǐ huánjìng wèntí bùnéng yǐlín-wéihè.

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

HSK 7-9

各国应合作应对疫情，而不是以邻为壑。

Gèguó yīng hézuò yìngduì yìqíng, ér bùshì yǐlín-wéihè.

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 wéi

壑 hè