馬后炮”本是一個象棋術(shù)語,意思是在“馬”后面加一顆“炮”,將對方的軍(check, put the other player's king under direct attack)。后來人們用“馬后炮”比喻事后采取措施,無濟于事;或事情發(fā)生后才提出批評或建議,表示自己有先見之明的人(a person who criticizes or suggests alternative courses of action from a position of hindsight after the event in question),也稱“事后諸葛亮(second guesser, be wise after the event)”。
例句:
考試都完了,你才說幫我復習功課,這豈不是馬后炮嗎?
You come and offer to help with my lessons only after the examination. Isn’t that a bit too late?
他是個馬后炮。
He is a second-guesser.
事后諸葛亮人人都會做。
It is easy to be wise after the event.