overestimate oneself; bite off more than one can chew
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to overestimate one's own strength; to attempt something beyond one's capability
derogatoryUsed to criticize someone who takes on tasks beyond their ability. Often carries a derogatory or mocking tone. The variant form '自不量力' is also common.
Tā他
xiǎng想
tiǎo挑
zhàn战
shì世
jiè界
guàn冠
jūn军
，
zhēn真
shi是
bù不
zì自
liàng量
lì力
。
He wants to challenge the world champion; he really is overestimating himself.
Nǐ你
bù不
zì自
liàng量
lì力
de地
jiē接
shòu受
le了
zhè这
me么
duō多
rèn任
wù务
，
zěn怎
me么
kě可
néng能
àn按
shí时
wán完
chéng成
？
You bit off more than you can chew by accepting so many tasks; how could you possibly finish them on time?
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Yǐ以
tā他
xiàn现
zài在
de的
shuǐ水
píng平
xiǎng想
qù去
dǎ打
bài败
zhuān专
yè业
xuǎn选
shǒu手
，
jiǎn简
zhí直
shi是
zì自
bù不
liàng量
lì力
。
With his current skill level, wanting to defeat a professional player is simply delusional.
Pī批
píng评
dà大
shī师
de的
zuò作
pǐn品
zhī之
qián前
，
xiān先
xiǎng想
xiǎng想
zì自
jǐ己
shì是
fǒu否
zài在
bù不
zì自
liàng量
lì力
。
Before criticizing a master's work, first consider whether you are overestimating yourself.