lit. to invert root and branch (idiom) / fig. confusing cause and effect / to stress the incidental over the fundamental / to put the cart before the horse
倒果为因
dào guǒ wéi yīn
to reverse cause and effect / to put the horse before the cart
轻重倒置
qīng zhòng dào zhì
to invert the importance of things (i.e. stress the unimportant and neglect the important) / lacking a sense of perspective / to put the cart before the horse
lit. the cart in front overturns, a warning to the following cart (idiom) / fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor / learn from past mistake / once bitten twice shy
后车之鉴
hòu chē zhī jiàn
lit. warning to the following cart (idiom) / don't follow the track of an overturned cart / fig. draw lesson from the failure of one's predecessor / learn from past mistake / once bitten twice shy
to invert the importance of things (i.e. stress the incidental and neglect the main point) / lacking a sense of perspective / to put the cart before the horse
zhōu