to claim undeserved credit; to appropriate others' achievements
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to claim credit for achievements belonging to heaven or nature; to take credit for others' work
formalOriginally a classical expression with a negative connotation. Used to criticize those who attribute collective achievements or others' contributions to themselves. Often appears in formal writing, political commentary, or ethical discussions.
Zhè这
shì是
tuán团
duì队
gòng共
tóng同
nǔ努
lì力
de的
jié结
guǒ果
，
tā他
bù不
gāi该
tān贪
tiān天
zhī之
gōng功
。
This is the result of the team's collective effort; he shouldn't claim the credit for himself.
Tān贪
tiān天
zhī之
gōng功
，
yǐ以
wéi为
jǐ己
lì力
，
zhè这
zhǒng种
zuò做
fǎ法
lìng令
rén人
bù不
chǐ齿
。
To usurp heaven's achievements and consider them one's own effort—such conduct is despicable.
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Lǐng领
dǎo导
zài在
zǒng总
jié结
huì会
shàng上
qiáng强
diào调
，
jué绝
bù不
néng能
tān贪
tiān天
zhī之
gōng功
，
yào要
shí实
shì事
qiú求
shì是
dì地
píng评
jià价
měi每
gè个
rén人
de的
gòng贡
xiàn献
。
At the summary meeting, the leadership emphasized that we must never claim undeserved credit, but rather evaluate each person's contributions realistically.