好高骛远

Pronunciation: hào gāo wù yuǎn Literal meaning: Fond of high and distant goals

Origin & Usage

The idiom 好高骛远 (hào gāo wù yuǎn) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe someone who sets overly ambitious goals without considering their current capabilities. The characters paint a vivid image: 好 (hào) means 'to like' or 'to be fond of,' 高 (gāo) means 'high,' 骛 (wù) means 'to pursue,' and 远 (yuǎn) means 'far.' Together, they depict a person who is fond of pursuing high and distant goals. In modern usage, this idiom serves as a caution against unrealistic aspirations and encourages individuals to set achievable objectives based on their present situation.

Examples

English: "His lofty ambitions often lead to disappointment when reality sets in."

Chinese: 他的雄心壮志常常在现实面前让他失望。