# 作茧自缚

zuò jiǎn zì fù

Trap oneself through one's own actions

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Spin a cocoon and bind oneself

**Traditional Chinese:** 作繭自縛

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Describe self-created restrictions or consequences.

Usually avoidable entanglement, not any difficult commitment.

## Understanding the expression

A creature produces the very material that encloses it. The expression describes someone whose rules, lies, or choices create a trap they cannot easily escape. A manager might make an unrealistic promise and then become bound by it. The connection between action and consequence is central. Not every hardship is self-inflicted, so a fair use shows how the person's own decision produced the restriction rather than simply blaming them for being in trouble.

## Examples

他撒谎太多，终于作茧自缚。

### Traditional Chinese

他撒謊太多，終於作繭自縛。

tā sā huǎng tài duō ， zhōng yú zuò jiǎn zì fù 。

His many lies finally trapped him.

规则定得太死，公司作茧自缚。

### Traditional Chinese

規則定得太死，公司作繭自縛。

guī zé dìng dé tài sǐ ， gōng sī zuò jiǎn zì fù 。

Rigid rules left the company trapped by its own choices.

她不想作茧自缚，拒绝无期限承诺。

### Traditional Chinese

她不想作繭自縛，拒絕無期限承諾。

tā bù xiǎng zuò jiǎn zì fù ， jù jué wú qī xiàn chéng nuò 。

She avoided binding herself with an indefinite promise.

为了保住面子继续借债，是作茧自缚。

### Traditional Chinese

為了保住面子繼續借債，是作繭自縛。

wèi le bǎo zhù miàn zi jì xù jiè zhài ， shì zuò jiǎn zì fù 。

Borrowing to save face creates a self-made trap.

## 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=%E4%BD%9C%E7%B9%AD%E8%87%AA%E7%B8%9B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=642&webMd=1&la=0)

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