Chinese word

沽名钓誉

Pronunciation

Pinyingū míng diào yù

Meaning

  • idiomseek fame and praise

Example

他为了吸引注意，不惜沽名钓誉。tā wèi le xī yǐn zhù yì bù xī gū míng diào yù

To attract attention, he does not hesitate to seek fame and praise.

Illustration for 沽名钓誉 (seek fame and praise)

More examples

那些沽名钓誉者经常夸大自己的成就以吸引粉丝。nà xiē gū míng diào yù zhě jīng cháng kuā dà zì jǐ de chéng jiù yǐ xī yǐn fěn sī

Those who seek fame and praise often exaggerate their achievements to attract followers.

Core concept

Treats public attention like a hook: showy conduct pulls approval toward an inflated public image.

Common phrases

  • 沽名钓誉者gū míng diào yù zhě

    person who seeks fame and praise

  • 沽名钓誉的做法gū míng diào yù de zuò fǎ

    practice of seeking fame and praise

Similar words

阿谀奉承ē yú fèng chéng: Pleasing someone with insincere flattery in hopes of gaining help or advantage.
卖弄虚荣mài nòng xū róng: Making a show of one's supposed success or worth to attract praise and attention.
趋炎附势qū yán fù shì: Courting powerful people to secure personal benefits or a higher position.

Definition in Chinese

为了追求虚名，用不正当或夸张的行为吸引别人注意、博取赞誉或名声。wèi le zhuī qiú xū míng yòng bú zhèng dāng huò kuā zhāng de xíng wéi xī yǐn bié rén zhù yì bó qǔ zàn yù huò míng shēng

Word origin

The idiom 沽名钓誉 (gūmíngdiàoyù, "seek fame and praise") pairs the image of selling a name with the image of fishing for praise, portraying public acclaim as something deliberately pursued.

Usage tips

  • This idiom is usually a criticism rather than a compliment, so it can sound harsh when applied jokingly to a small act of showing off.

Opposites

Related words

  • 沽名钓誉者gū míng diào yù zhěfame-and-praise seekernoun

Word lists with this word