引狼入室
yǐn láng rù shì
to let the wolf into the house; to invite in the very person (or thing) who will do harm
Character by character
引yǐn
lead
lead
狼láng
wolf
wolf
入rù
into
into
室shì
room
room
Example
他随手装了一个所谓的“免费”软件，结果引狼入室，电脑里的文件全被锁住了。
He casually installed a supposedly “free” program and let the wolf in: every file on his computer was locked.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
Used for a danger you brought in yourself: an enemy, a dishonest partner, malicious software. It carries self-reproach and a warning: 这简直是引狼入室. Written and vivid, but common in speech too.
Learn this in Lesson 196 · HSK 7–9: 个人信息保护 (Protecting personal information)
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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