以讹传讹 (yǐ é chuán) — to spread errors, each time making them worse; to pass on misinformation, compounding the original mistake
Definition
An idiom meaning misinformation grows worse each time it's passed on: a false claim is repeated and distorted, so the error compounds with every retelling. Used in writing or news commentary rather than everyday speech.
idiom
to spread errorseach time making them worseto pass on misinformationcompounding the original mistake
Examples
- 以讹传讹，。Wǎng luò shàng de xiāo xi cháng cháng yǐ é chuán, zuì hòu biàn de wán quán bù yí yàng.News on the internet often gets distorted as it's passed along, ending up completely different.
- 以讹传讹，。Bú yào yǐ é chuán, yīng gāi xiān chá qīng chǔ shì shí zài shuō.Don't spread errors — you should verify the facts first before speaking.
- 以讹传讹，。Zhè ge yáo yán yǐ é chuán, hài dé hěn duō rén xiāng xìn le jiǎ xiāo xi.This rumor was passed on with errors, causing many people to believe false information.
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