画蛇添足
他画蛇添足，把简单的事情搞得复杂了。
He overcomplicated the simple matter by adding unnecessary details.
To ruin or spoil something by adding unnecessary or excessive elements, often making it worse.
这个设计已经很完美了，再添加额外的功能反而画蛇添足。
The design is already perfect; adding extra features would only spoil it.
他试图用幽默来缓和气氛，但结果画蛇添足，让大家更尴尬了。
He tried to lighten the mood with humor, but it backfired, making everyone more awkward.
This idiom is often used to criticize someone for overcomplicating a simple situation or adding unnecessary details that make things worse.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Tip
This idiom is often used to criticize someone for overcomplicating a simple situation or adding unnecessary details that make things worse.
Gold Rule
Golden Rule
Use this idiom when you want to point out that someone has made something worse by adding unnecessary elements.
Word Origin
The idiom originates from a story in which a man drew a snake on the ground and added legs to it, making it look ridiculous. The phrase is used to describe the act of overdoing something and making it worse.
Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to criticize someone for overcomplicating a simple situation or adding unnecessary details that make things worse.