Definition
A chengyu (four-character idiom) from an ancient story: a farmer pulled up his seedlings to help them grow, only to kill them. It warns against being overeager and trying to force results too quickly, which backfires.
phrase
to force growth by pulling up seedlings — i.e.to act rashly and ruin things by being overeager
Examples
- 揠苗助长，。Xuéxí bùnéng yà miáo-zhù zhǎng, yào yí bù yí bù lái.You can't force learning; you have to take it step by step.
- 揠苗助长。Tā nà zhǒng yà miáo-zhù zhǎng de zuòfǎ zhǐ huì ràng wèntí gèng yánzhòng.That kind of hasty approach of his will only make the problem worse.
- ，揠苗助长。Tóuzī yào nàixīn, qièjì yà miáo-zhù zhǎng.Investing requires patience; be careful not to try to force quick gains.
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