好高骛远 (hào gāo wù yuǎn) — to bite off more than one can chew; to aim too high (idiom)
Definition
A chengyu meaning to set one's sights unrealistically high and chase after impractical goals. It carries a negative judgement — unlike 中立 ambitions, this phrase criticizes aiming beyond one's ability.
verb
to bite off more than one can chewto aim too high (idiom)
Examples
- 好高骛远，。Xué xí shàng bù néng hào gāo wù yuǎn, yào jiǎo tà shí dì.In studying, you can't bite off more than you can chew; you need to be down-to-earth.
- 好高骛远，。Tā zhè ge rén zǒng shì hào gāo wù yuǎn, zhì dìng de jì huà gēn běn wú fǎ shí xiàn.This person always aims too high; the plans he makes are simply impossible to carry out.
- 好高骛远，。Wǒ men yīng gāi bì miǎn hào gāo wù yuǎn, cóng jī chǔ kāi shǐ xué qǐ.We should avoid setting our sights too high and start learning from the basics.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side
Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.
好高 and 骛远 join loving what is high with chasing what is far, meaning aiming too high.
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