东施效颦

lit. Dong Shi imitates Xi Shi's frown (idiom) / fig. to mimick sb's idiosyncrasies but make a fool of oneself

surname Dong

east / host (i.e. sitting on east side of guest) / landlord

surname Shi

(bound form) to put into effect (regulations etc) / to distribute (alms etc) / to apply (fertilizer etc)

variant of 傚|效[xiao4]

variant of 效[xiao4] / to imitate

variant of 效[xiao4]

effect / efficacy / to imitate

to imitate (variant of 效[xiao4])

to scowl / to knit the brows