望梅止渴
wàng​méi​zhǐ​kě

console oneself

  • created sense approved 望梅止渴 · wàng​méi​zhǐ​kě · console oneself

    望梅止渴

    wàng​méi​zhǐ​kě

    console oneself

    to console oneself with illusions or false hopes when the reality is unavailable

    他买不起昂贵的相机，只能每天看说明书望梅止渴。

    idiom

    created sense

  • created sense approved 望梅止渴 · wàng​méi​zhǐ​kě · quench thirst

    望梅止渴

    wàng​méi​zhǐ​kě

    quench thirst

    to quench one's thirst by thinking of plums (original idiom meaning)

    曹操利用望梅止渴的计策，带领士兵们走出了荒漠。

    idiom

    created sense