Definition
好高骛远 is a chengyu (four-character idiom) that literally means 'to like the high and gallop for the distant' — i.e., to aim too high or set unrealistic goals without a solid foundation. In the idiom, 好 is pronounced hào (4th tone, 'to like'), not hǎo (3rd tone, 'good'). This fixed expression is used to criticize someone who reaches for something beyond their ability. The opposite idea is 脚踏实地 (to be down-to-earth).
v
to bite off more than one can chewto aim too high (idiom)
Examples
- 好高骛远，。Xuéxí shàng bùnéng hǎo, yào jiǎotàshídì.In studying, you can't bite off more than you can chew; you need to be down-to-earth.
- 好高骛远，。Tā zhège rén zǒngshì hǎo, zhìdìng de jìhuà gēnběn wúfǎ shíxiàn.This person always aims too high; the plans he makes are simply impossible to carry out.
- 好高骛远，。Wǒmen yīnggāi bìmiǎn hǎo, cóng jīchǔ kāishǐ xué qǐ.We should avoid setting our sights too high and start learning from the basics.
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