Definition
班门弄斧 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that literally means 'to wield an axe at the gate of Lu Ban (the master carpenter)'. It describes the act of showing off one's modest skills in front of a true expert — often used as a self-deprecating remark when you feel awkward for displaying your ability before someone far more accomplished, or as a mild criticism of someone who overestimates their talent in front of a specialist.
id.
to display one's meager skill in front of an expertto show off before a master
Examples
- ，班门弄斧。Zài nín zhè wèi dà huàjiā miànqián, wǒ kě bù gǎn bān mén nòng fǔ.In front of a great painter like you, I wouldn't dare to show off my meager skills.
- ，班门弄斧。Tā jūrán zài jiàoshòu miànqián dà tán jīngjìxué, zhēn shì bān mén nòng fǔ.He actually started talking about economics in front of the professor — what an amateur showing off before an expert.
- ，班门弄斧，。Wǒ zhǐshì lüè zhī pímáo, zài zhuānjiā miànqián bān mén nòng fǔ le, qǐng duō zhǐjiào.I only know a smattering, so I'm showing off ignorantly before an expert — please give me your guidance.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.