缘木求鱼 [ yuán mù qiú yú ] 释义:缘木:爬树. Climbing up a tree to look for fish. The metaphor is that the direction or method is wrong, and it is impossible to achieve the goal.

The meaning of "seeking fish on the edge of a tree" is that the method is wrong; futile.

Chinese idiom explanation: margin: along; wood: tree. Climb up the tree along the trunk to catch fish.

Chinese idiom source: pre-Qin, Meng Ke, "Meng Zi" (孟子 梁惠王上)："To seek what one desires by what one does, is like seeking fish by the edge of the wood." ?

Sentimental color: pejorative idiom.

Chinese idiom usage: conjunctive; as predicate, object; derogatory.

Chinese idiom structure: linking idiom.

Synonyms: fishing for the moon in the water, seeking fish at the edge of the mountain, striking water with a bamboo basket.

Antonyms: to fish in a basket, to catch a turtle in a jar.

Example sentences:

1. Ercao's body and name are burned, but not the river flows for ten thousand years! What Li Bai never forgets is to realize the full freedom of the individual, and although the way Li Bai pursues his freedom can be described as seeking fish on the edge of a tree, the purpose is clear.

2. Do you mean that human beings going into outer space to explore planets that can be immigrated, to search for living beings, and to communicate with extraterrestrials is just like trying to catch fish on a log, which will never be fruitful?

3. People are born in the mortal world, and no matter what happens, it's all about destiny, right? When the time is not right, it's just a matter of getting it right, and when the time is right, it's just a matter of getting it right.

Chinese idiom story:

One day, Mencius came to the king's palace to pay a visit to King Xuan of Qi. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mencius asked King Xuan of Qi, "My lord, what is the greatest wish of your heart?"

King Xuan of Qi just smiled and said nothing. Meng Zi sighed in realization and continued, "Is it because there is not enough sweet food to eat? Or is it because light and warm clothes are not enough to wear? Or is it because beautiful women are not enough to look at? Is it because there is not enough beautiful music to listen to, or because there are not enough flatterers to call upon? All these, I think, those around you will do their best to satisfy you; is that really what you are after?" ?

King Xuan of Qi hastened to defend himself, "No, the Great Physician has misunderstood."

Meng Zi said, "Then your greatest wish is clear. You want to expand your country's territory, so that great states like Qin and Chu will all submit to you and make offerings to you, and you yourself will be the ally of the world and rule over the four directions."

Seeing that his mind had been read by Meng Zi, King Xuan of Qi had no choice but to acquiesce. But Meng Zi gave King Xuan of Qi a look and said in a mocking tone, "If you have such a far-reaching dream in your heart, measured against what you are doing today, if you want to realize that ideal, it would be like climbing up a tree to catch a fish." ?

When King Xuan of Qi heard this, his face turned red with shame.