言過其實

Chinese

 
to speak; to say; talk
to speak; to say; talk; word
 
to cross; to go over; (experienced action marker)
to cross; to go over; (experienced action marker); to pass; to celebrate; to live; to get along; excessively; too-
trad. (言過其實) 言 過 其實
simp. (言过其实) 言 过 其实

Etymology

From Guanzi:

物固有形,形固有名。此言不得過實,實不得延名。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
物固有形,形固有名。此言不得过实,实不得延名。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Guanzi, 5th century BCE to 220 CE
Wù gù yǒu xíng, xíng gù yǒu míng. Cǐ yán bùdé guòshí, shí bùdé yán míng. [Pinyin]
Things have inherent forms; forms have inherent names. Words should not stretch the truth, and truth should not be used to go after immoderate fame.

Pronunciation


Idiom

言過其實

  1. to overstate the facts; to stretch the truth; to exaggerate
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