画蛇添足 huàshé-tiānzú literally draw legs on a snake (idiom)
literally draw legs on a snake (idiom); figuratively to ruin the effect by adding something superfluous; to overdo it
How to remember 画蛇添足: 画 drawing + 蛇 snake + 添 to add + 足 foot = literally draw legs on a snake (idiom).
Characters
How it is used
- To ruin things by adding what's unnecessary - 你这样改反而画蛇添足 (nǐ zhèyàng gǎi fǎn'ér huàshé tiānzú) your edit just gilds the lily.
- From the fable of drawing legs on a snake; means overdoing a finished thing and spoiling it.
- Opposite of 画龙点睛 (adding the vital touch); use 画蛇添足 to criticize superfluous, harmful additions - 画龙点睛之笔 (huàlóng-diǎnjīng zhī bǐ) the masterstroke.