Definition
This four-character idiom means to bring trouble on yourself by making a foolish decision or ignoring obvious warnings. Picture someone who knowingly picks a fight or takes a shortcut that backfires — that's 自讨苦吃. It's used as a verb phrase and often carries a tone of mild scolding or regret.
f.e.
to ask for troubleto bring trouble upon oneself
Examples
- ,,自讨苦吃。Míngmíng zhīdào zhèyàng zuò huì chū wèntí, tā piān yào qù zuò, zhēnshi zì tǎo kǔ chī.He knew this would cause problems, but he insisted on doing it — he was really asking for trouble.
- ,,自讨苦吃。Tóuzī zhīqián bú zuò hǎo diàochá, jiéguǒ kuī le qián, nǐ zhè shì zì tǎo kǔ chī.If you invest without doing your research and end up losing money, you're just asking for trouble.
- ,,自讨苦吃?Chǎojià shí shuō chū shāng rén de huà, zuìhòu zìjǐ hòuhuǐ, zhè bú shì zì tǎo kǔ chī ma?Saying hurtful things during a quarrel and then regretting it — isn't that asking for trouble?
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