# 弄巧成拙

nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō

Make things worse by trying to be clever

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Turn cleverness into clumsiness

**Register:** Critical · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe an overcomplicated trick that backfires.

Not every honest failed attempt involves clever scheming.

## Understanding the expression

Someone tries to improve an outcome through a clever shortcut or extra maneuver, but the maneuver creates a worse result. The expression emphasizes this ironic reversal. It appears in excuses, repairs, jokes, and attempts to impress or conceal something. The problem is often unnecessary complication or poor judgment about how others will react. A simple, direct approach might have worked better than the supposedly clever addition that spoiled it.

## Examples

他改图太多，反而弄巧成拙。

### Traditional Chinese

他改圖太多，反而弄巧成拙。

tā gǎi tú tài duō ， fǎn ér nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō 。

His excessive edits spoiled the picture.

想用玩笑缓和气氛，却弄巧成拙。

### Traditional Chinese

想用玩笑緩和氣氛，卻弄巧成拙。

xiǎng yòng wán xiào huǎn hé qì fēn ， què nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō 。

The joke meant to ease tension backfired.

别乱调参数，小心弄巧成拙。

### Traditional Chinese

別亂調參數，小心弄巧成拙。

bié luàn tiáo cān shù ， xiǎo xīn nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō 。

Do not change settings carelessly; you may make things worse.

她编借口，结果弄巧成拙。

### Traditional Chinese

她編藉口，結果弄巧成拙。

tā biān jiè kǒu ， jié guǒ nòng qiǎo chéng zhuō 。

Her invented excuse ended up making matters worse.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BC%84%E5%B7%A7%E6%88%90%E6%8B%99)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=143&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [蚍蜉撼树 pí fú hàn shù Overestimate one’s ability against something far stronger ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/pi-fu-han-shu)

- [骑虎难下 qí hǔ nán xià Be unable to withdraw from a difficult course ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qi-hu-nan-xia)

- [奇货可居 qí huò kě jū Hoard something rare to gain an advantage ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qi-huo-ke-ju)

- [黔驴技穷 qián lǘ jì qióng Run out of one's limited tricks or abilities ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/qian-lv-ji-qiong)

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