自作聪明

自作聰明
zìzuò-cōngmíng
idiom #13,335

Meanings

  1. 1 to think oneself clever
  2. 2 to be a smart aleck
  3. 3 to outsmart oneself

Examples

HSK 7-9
Tā zìzuò-cōngmíng, jiéguǒ nòngqiǎo-chéngzhuō.
He thought he was being clever, but ended up making things worse.
HSK 7-9
Bié zìzuò-cōngmíng le, lǎolǎoshíshí àn guīdìng lái.
Stop trying to be clever - just follow the rules honestly.

Tips

usage
Always derogatory. Used to criticize someone who overestimates their own intelligence and ends up looking foolish or causing problems.

Stroke Order

自 zì
作 zuò
聪 cōng
明 míng