# 削足适履

xuē zú shì lǚ

Distort reality to fit an unsuitable rule or model

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Cut the feet to fit the shoes

**Traditional Chinese:** 削足適履

**Register:** Critical · expressive

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

## When to use it

Criticize sacrificing essential needs to rigid form.

Adapting a method differs from harming the subject.

## Understanding the expression

Shoes should fit feet, but the image reverses that sensible relationship and damages the feet instead. The expression criticizes forcing people, facts, or work into an unsuitable fixed structure. A schedule may ignore health, or a report may omit evidence to preserve a theory. Adjustment is not inherently wrong; the problem is sacrificing essential qualities instead of improving the model. The better question is whether the framework can change to fit reality.

## Examples

为赶进度取消检查，等于削足适履。

### Traditional Chinese

為趕進度取消檢查，等於削足適履。

wèi gǎn jìn dù qǔ xiāo jiǎn chá ， děng yú xuē zú shì lǚ 。

Canceling checks to meet the schedule sacrifices essentials to an unsuitable plan.

别削足适履，把数据硬塞进旧模型。

### Traditional Chinese

別削足適履，把數據硬塞進舊模型。

bié xuē zú shì lǚ ， bǎ shù jù yìng sāi jìn jiù mó xíng 。

Do not distort the data to force it into the old model.

课程应适应学生，不能削足适履。

### Traditional Chinese

課程應適應學生，不能削足適履。

kè chéng yìng shì yìng xué shēng ， bù néng xuē zú shì lǚ 。

The course should fit students rather than force them into an unsuitable mold.

为了模板删掉关键信息，是削足适履。

### Traditional Chinese

為了模板刪掉關鍵信息，是削足適履。

wèi le mú bǎn shān diào guān jiàn xìn xī ， shì xuē zú shì lǚ 。

Removing essential information to fit a template puts form above real needs.

## 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%89%8A%E8%B6%B3%E9%81%A9%E5%B1%A5)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=873&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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