bān班Banmén门gatenòng弄wieldfǔ斧axe
Showing off with an axe at Lu Ban's gate — flaunting your skill in front of the true master.
Literal meaning
Ban (班) — gate (门) — wield (弄) — axe (斧)
Origin
A Ming-dynasty phrase referring to Lu Ban (鲁班), the legendary master carpenter and patron god of Chinese carpentry. Wielding an axe in front of HIS gate would be the ultimate act of misplaced confidence. The phrase has been used since to gently mock (or self-mock) someone showing off in front of a real expert.
Examples
Zài在nín您miàn面qián前jiǎng讲wéi围qí棋，shì是bān班mén门nòng弄fǔ斧le了。
Talking about Go in front of you — I'm showing off at Lu Ban's gate.
Wǒ我zhè这diǎn点gōng功fu夫，bān班mén门nòng弄fǔ斧。
My modest skill — I'm an axe-wielder in front of Lu Ban's gate.
Usage & nuances
Often used self-deprecatingly when speaking in front of a real expert. Polite, humble register.
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