Chinese word

班门弄斧

Pronunciation

Pinyinbān mén nòng fǔ

Meaning

idiomshow off before an expert

Example

别在专家面前班门弄斧。bié zài zhuān jiā miàn qián bān mén nòng fǔ

Don't show off your skills in front of an expert.

Illustration for 班门弄斧 (show off before an expert)

More examples

他很聪明，但不要在老师面前班门弄斧。tā hěn cōng míng dàn bú yào zài lǎo shī miàn qián bān mén nòng fǔ

He is very clever, but don't show off in front of a teacher.

Core concept

Showing a limited skill in the presence of someone who has mastered it turns confidence into embarrassment.

Common phrases

不要班门弄斧bú yào bān mén nòng fǔ
don't show off before an expert
在老师面前班门弄斧zài lǎo shī miàn qián bān mén nòng fǔ
show off in front of a teacher

Similar words

自取其辱zì qǔ qí rǔ: Bringing shame on oneself through one's own actions.
自不量力zì bú liàng lì: Misjudging one's ability and taking on something beyond one's capacity.

Definition in Chinese

比喻在行家面前卖弄本领，自取其辱。bǐ yù zài háng jiā miàn qián mài nòng bén lǐng zì qǔ qí rǔ

Word origin

班门弄斧 (bānménnòngfǔ, "show off before an expert") is linked to the traditional story of displaying axe work at the gate of 鲁班 (Lǔ Bān, "Lu Ban"), the renowned carpenter.

Usage tips

Its tone depends strongly on who is being described: self-reference can be modest or playful, whereas reference to another person can be insulting.

Other meanings

show off one's limited skillsidiom

Opposites

虚心请教xū xīn qǐng jiàohumbly ask for guidanceidiom