Ban Men Nong Fu

 

班门弄斧 (bān mén nòng fǔ)

Ban Men Nong Fu

 

In ancient times, Lu Ban was supposed to be a consummate master in construction and sculpture. Carpenters respect him as ancestor master. It is said that he once carved a colorful wooden phoenix that was so lifelike that it actually flew in the sky for three days. Thus it was considered the height of folly to show off one’s skill with an axe in front of Lu Ban.This idiom excoriates those who show off their slight accomplishments in front of experts.
 

古代有一个建筑和雕刻技术非常高超的人,名叫鲁班,他是一个善于制作精巧器具的能手,木匠行里尊称他为祖师。传说他曾用木头制作了一只五彩斑斓的凤凰,能够在空中飞翔三天不掉下来。谁敢在鲁班门前卖弄使用斧子的技术,也就是说,想在大行家面前显示自的本领,这种太不谦虚的可笑行为,就叫做“鲁班门前弄大斧”,简称“班门弄斧”。 这句成语有时也用作自谦之词,表示自己不敢在行家面前卖弄自己的小本领。