飞蛾扑火
fēi é pū huǒ
like a moth to a flame; to court one’s own destruction
Character by character
飞fēi
flying
flying
蛾é
moth
moth
扑pū
throw itself
throw itself
火huǒ
fire
fire
Example
他知道那家公司是个骗局，还要把钱投进去，简直是飞蛾扑火。
He knows that company is a scam and still wants to put his money in: he is a moth flying into a flame.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
Usually a warning or a reproach: to rush towards danger, knowing or not. Occasionally admiring, of someone who gives everything for love or an ideal, knowing what it will cost. Also 飞蛾投火.
Learn this in Lesson 145 · HSK 7–9: 鳌太线 (The Aotai trail)
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.
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