Chinese word

饮鸩止渴

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǐn zhèn zhǐ kě

Meaning

  • idiomharmful temporary measure

Example

这种补救方法不过是饮鸩止渴，会留下后患。zhè zhǒng bǔ jiù fāng fǎ bú guò shì yǐn zhèn zhí kě huì liú xià hòu huàn

This remedy is merely a harmful temporary measure and will cause trouble later.

Illustration for 饮鸩止渴 (harmful temporary measure)

More examples

与其马上修补，不如想办法治本，别再饮鸩止渴。yǔ qí mǎ shàng xiū bǔ bù rú xiǎng bàn fǎ zhì běn bié zài yǐn zhèn zhí kě

Rather than making a quick fix, let's find a way to solve the problem at its root and stop using harmful temporary measures.

Core concept

A desperate answer that removes present discomfort while hiding a lasting danger.

Common phrases

  • 不要饮鸩止渴bú yào yǐn zhèn zhí kě

    do not resort to a harmful stopgap measure

  • 避免饮鸩止渴的做法bì miǎn yǐn zhèn zhí kě de zuò fǎ

    avoid a harmful stopgap measure

Similar words

权宜之计quán yí zhī jì: A stopgap measure taken to handle a situation for the time being.
治标不治本zhì biāo bú zhì běn: Addressing only the surface problem while leaving the basic cause unchanged.

Definition in Chinese

用立刻见效但有害的方法应付眼前困难，结果留下长期的隐患。yòng lì kè jiàn xiào dàn yǒu hài de fāng fǎ yìng fù yǎn qián kùn nán jié guǒ liú xià cháng qī de yǐn huàn

Word origin

饮 (yǐn, "drink") + 鸩 (zhèn, "poisoned wine") + 止 (zhǐ, "stop") + 渴 (kě, "thirst") describes quenching thirst with poisoned wine, an image of solving an immediate need through self-damaging action.

Usage tips

  • It commonly fits situations such as borrowing more money to cover an urgent bill when the new debt will make the larger problem worse.

Other meanings

  • stopgap measureidiom
  • makeshift solutionidiom

Word lists with this word