Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'a fire starts in the backyard' — used figuratively to describe internal trouble or conflict that arises close to home, especially within a family, organization, or team. It often implies that the problem comes from within your own group and is hard to handle publicly because it's a private matter.
idiom
internal trouble arising close to homea conflict within one's own organization or family
Examples
- 后院起火，。Gōngsī nèibù hòu yuàn qǐ huǒ, lǐngdǎocéng bìxū jǐnkuài jiějué.Trouble has arisen within the company; management must resolve it quickly.
- 后院起火，。Tā máng zhe chǔlǐ jiā lǐ de hòu yuàn qǐ huǒ, gēnběn méi xīnsī gōngzuò.He's busy dealing with a family crisis close to home and has no mind for work at all.
- 后院起火，。Rúguǒ tuánduì hòu yuàn qǐ huǒ, zài hǎo de jìhuà yě huì shībài.If conflict arises within the team, even the best plan will fail.
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