self-deception; bury one's head in the sand
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to bury one's head in the sand; to deceive oneself; to try to cover up what cannot be hidden
Used to criticize someone who foolishly believes they can hide something obvious from others, or who refuses to face reality. The literal image comes from the ancient story of a thief who covered his own ears while stealing a bell, thinking this would prevent others from hearing it.
Nǐ你
zhè这
yàng样
zuò做
jiǎn简
zhí直
shì是
yǎn掩
ěr耳
dào盗
líng铃
，
yǐ以
wéi为
bié别
rén人
dōu都
bù不
huì会
fā发
xiàn现
。
What you're doing is simply burying your head in the sand, thinking others won't find out.
Bù不
yào要
yǎn掩
ěr耳
dào盗
líng铃
le了
，
zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
yǐ已
jīng经
zhī知
dào道
le了
。
Stop deceiving yourself—everyone already knows about this matter.
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Shì试
tú图
yòng用
zhè这
yàng样
de的
jiè借
kǒu口
lái来
yǎn掩
gài盖
cuò错
wù误
，
bù不
guò过
shì是
yǎn掩
ěr耳
dào盗
líng铃
bà罢
le了
。
Trying to cover up mistakes with such excuses is nothing but self-deception.