杯弓蛇影
bēi gōng shé yǐng
to be frightened by imaginary dangers; to jump at shadows
Character by character
杯bēi
cup
cup
弓gōng
bow
bow
蛇shé
snake
snake
影yǐng
shadow
shadow
Example
体检报告上有一项指标稍微偏高，他就杯弓蛇影，以为自己得了重病。
One figure on his check-up report was slightly high, and he jumped at shadows, convinced he was seriously ill.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
A guest saw the reflection of a bow hanging on the wall in his wine cup, took it for a snake, and fell ill with fear until his host showed him the bow (told of 杜宣 in 应劭’s 风俗通义 and of a guest of 乐广 in the 晋书). For needless fear that feeds on itself; close to 疑神疑鬼 and 草木皆兵.
Learn this in Lesson 160 · HSK 7–9: 艾滋病：检测与偏见 (HIV: testing and prejudice)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →